On instructions from GoI, army fortifies hill deployment in Jammu forest areas

Jammu: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have revised their strategy to combat militant attacks by deploying Army and paramilitary forces on hills preemptively.

This decision, conveyed to top officials of the Army and CRPF, aims to secure armed forces from attacks originating from elevated terrains, which have been frequently exploited by militants, Daily Excelsior reported.

The deployment, initiated immediately, covers strategic districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Kathua, and Reasi, where militants are suspected to have hideouts, including natural caves. Troops will conduct regular patrols and operations in these areas to eliminate threats. Additionally, this presence is expected to reassure local residents who have been apprehensive due to recent militant activities in hilly regions.

GoI Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, lauded the strategic deployment, emphasising its role in restoring confidence among people residing in the higher altitudes. The operation includes intensified troop presence in Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda districts, supported by surveillance from unmanned aerial vehicles, Special Forces, and sniffer dog units.

Since the recent attack on Army vehicles in Kathua district, resulting in casualties, security measures have been heightened across the region, including along highways and sensitive areas like the ongoing Amarnath yatra pilgrimage routes, to mitigate potential threats, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).