CRPF to assist Indian Army in hinterland at 21 locations in IIOJK
Army, BSF to retain role along LoC amid wider restructuring of military grid
Jammu: The Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is preparing to expand its role in the hinterland of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with the force set to assist the Indian Army at 21 strategically important locations in Udhampur and Kathua districts in Jammu regione.
A communication issued to the CRPF has directed the force to prepare for an expanded operational presence at the designated locations as part of a wider restructuring of the military grid in the Jammu region.
The 21 locations have been described by officials as “hyper-sensitive” and prioritised under an existing deployment plan. The CRPF is currently assessing its manpower requirements.
The proposed expansion will also involve the CRPF’s specialised CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) units. According to an official familiar with the plan, nine CoBRA teams will remain deployed, while another nine teams will undergo training before being assigned operational responsibilities according to emerging security requirements.
The restructuring is aimed at redistributing responsibilities in the hinterland, allowing the Indian Army to focus greater attention on the Line of Control, where the Army and Border Security Force (BSF) maintain deployments.
The reported arrangement does not amount to a complete withdrawal of the Indian Army from the hinterland of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. A substantial presence of the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles is expected to remain in the territory, while the CRPF assumes a greater supporting role at selected sensitive locations.
The restructuring comes amid continuing military operations across occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
