Contradicting PDP?s demand for troop reduction in the state, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday ruled out any move to reduce in their deployment in Jammu and Kashmir. The para military force felt the potency and designs of terrorists in the state had not come down even though the levels of violence had slightly declined.
While addressing the annual press conference here on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the force, CRPF director general SIS Ahmed said they had inputs that ULFA was getting support from Pakistan?s ISI. ULFA also operated from Bangladesh, he added. He said he did not foresee any reduction in the deployment of CRPF.
However, some personnel may have to be re-deployed, he added. ?The level of violence (in the valley) has slightly reduced. That does not mean the potency of terrorism has reduced. Their (terrorists?) designs continue. I can?t foresee that the CRPF deployment can be reduced,? he said in reply to a question. The potential of terrorists had not reduced.
However, in some areas, they were getting isolated and local support was waning. Out of the 201 battalions, a maximum of 72, which is 40% of the about 60,000-strong force, are deployed in the state, he said.
Till September 30 this year, the force had killed 71 militants and apprehended 206 others in militancy related cases in the state. Fifteen CRPF men were killed, while 106 others injured in 68 encounters, he said, adding that the recoveries included 127 weapons and 116 kg of explosives.
Commenting on CRPF deployment in naxal areas, where the para-military force faced some reverses this year, Ahmed put up a brave face saying the biggest problem faced while countering naxalites was that of improvised explosive devices and the force was gearing up to counter that.
This year, Ahmed said, CRPF had liquidated 213 militants across the country and caught another 1,800, he said, adding the casualty on CRPF side was 55. In Naxalite-prone areas, the CRPF were trying to change tactics regarding movement in view of ambushes and landmine attacks by Left wing extremists. The maximum problem was in Chhatisgarh where the CRPF had the highest deployment.