Rashtriya Rifles to be moved to LoC, CRPF to handle civilians in valley
Srinagar: The Narendra Modi-led Indian government is planning a major reshuffle in its military deployment in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with proposals to pull the Rashtriya Rifles from the hinterland and redeploy them along the Line of Control in what analysts say exposes India’s misadventurism and aggressive posture towards Pakistan.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Modi regime is in consultation with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs over shifting the RR—originally raised as an anti-resistance force in the 1990s—from Kashmir’s towns and villages to the Line of Control. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will take over “internal security” duties in the Valley, replacing the Rashtriya Rifles.
The move, analysts say, reflects the Modi regime’s fear of a powerful “Quit India” demonstrations by the entire Kashmiri population against India in case of any misadventurism against Pakistan. The situation will be terrible for the Indian government as it does not trust the local police either, fearing they may side with the Kashmiri population.
Reports said three CRPF battalions had already been moved to Jammu’s Udhampur and Kathua districts, with similar redeployments expected in Kashmir.
Political observers and defence analysts argue that while New Delhi claims “improvement in security” since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, it is paradoxically shifting its most battle-hardened units towards Pakistan’s borders—an indication of preparations for misadventurism and escalation in the region.
