KNZ NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR—Less than a week after moving 10,000 troops of paramilitary forces to Kashmir, the centre is rushing about 25,000 more paramilitary personnel to the Valley, as part of a massive troop build-up, reported NDTV.
The media outlet quoted official sources saying that the troops started arriving on Thursday morning and are being inducted in various parts of the state.
“The troop build-up has fuelled speculations in Kashmir,” said the report.
“The government had last week said that 100 companies were brought in to strengthen the counter-insurgency grid in Kashmir. On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said there is no plan to scrap Article 35-A, which defines permanent residents of the state and bars outsiders from purchasing and owning immovable property,” NDTV reported.
Meanwhile, the Amarnath Yatra has been suspended till August 4. While the government cited adverse weather conditions as a reason for its suspension, the weather department has not predicted any major change in conditions.
Official sources say a section of troops deployed for the Yatra are also being moved for some impending law and order duty.
Around 400 companies, which constitute about 40,000 personnel, are deployed for the yatra’s security, NDTV reported.
Sources say all security formations have been asked to remain in a state of readiness.
Meanwhile, Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Srinagar on Thursday to review the security preparations in Kashmir. The defence spokesperson said the army chief will be in Kashmir for two days, NDTV reported.
