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In response to a surge in terrorist activity in the Jammu region since June, the Indian government has deployed thousands of additional paramilitary forces to the mountainous region as it prepares for its first assembly elections in a decade.
Intelligence estimates suggest that between 60 to 80 terrorists infiltrated the Jammu region between March and April this year, prompting a significant increase in security measures.
According to a report by The Hindustan Times, the Indian Army has deployed an additional 3,000 troops, including 500 para commandos. The Border Security Force (BSF) has also reassigned 2,000 personnel from Odisha to the international border in Jammu, and an additional 2,000 Assam Rifles personnel have been brought in from Manipur. These forces are tasked with preventing further infiltration and actively seeking and neutralizing any terrorists who have already entered the region.
In total, about 900 paramilitary companies, each consisting of 110 personnel, have been deployed for election-related security duties, supplementing the regular presence of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Both the Army and the BSF have heightened their surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border. They are utilizing advanced surveillance technologies and weaponry to counter aerial threats posed by drones. Additionally, the BSF is conducting anti-tunneling operations to identify and destroy any cross-border tunnels that may be used for infiltration.
The government has decided to maintain a presence of around 450 paramilitary companies in Jammu and Kashmir for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, further bolstering security in the region.
Local police are also actively enhancing security measures. Village defence guards (VDGs) have been recruited and are now armed with self-loading rifles and semi-automatic firearms. The army is also providing training to these VDGs to ensure they are proficient in weapon handling.
