In a strategic move to bolster counter-terrorism efforts, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have deployed a new force of 960 specially trained personnel to border areas throughout the Union Territory.
This dedicated unit, the first of its kind in the region, will focus solely on combating infiltration and terrorism, particularly amid a recent surge in cross-border threats.
The deployment, likened to the model of the US Marines, has seen 560 personnel stationed in the border areas of Jammu division, with the remaining 400 deployed in the Kashmir Valley.
Significantly, these officers have been recruited from the local border communities and will operate exclusively within their respective tehsils, enhancing local intelligence and knowledge of the terrain.
Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain emphasized the specialized nature of this force, stating, "They will work only on anti-infiltration and anti-terrorism fronts and will not be deployed as PSOs (personal security officers) or in the office or for any other extra work."
He further highlighted that the force's supervisory officers are under strict instructions to ensure the unit's focus remains solely on counter-terrorism and anti-infiltration operations.
The move comes in response to recent incidents where terrorists have managed to penetrate deeper into Jammu and Kashmir, reaching areas like Doda and Reasi districts. The DGP underscored the importance of local intelligence in combating these threats, stating, "These personnel are from the border villages, they know the area well and also understand the tactics of the enemy."
This initiative aims to strengthen human intelligence gathering and enable quicker responses to potential infiltrations. It also seeks to prevent terrorists from establishing a foothold in the region, as witnessed in recent attacks in Kathua, Doda, and Reasi districts.
