After More Central Troops Deployment, Now BSF, ITBP To Replace CRPF For Static Guard Duties In Srinagar

As the Union Home Ministry ordered deployment of 100 more companies of central armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir, in another move the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBF) have been ordered to replace the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for static guard duties in Srinagar.

An order issued by the zone police headquarters, says the move to give static duties to BSF and ITBP has been taken to strengthen the law and order grid in Kashmir region.

According to police, it is a practice to place new force as static guard outside as the new force is not well versed with law and order.

Many in the valley, however, see it like the 1990 situation when the BSF had taken over the internal security.

Earlier, the Union Home Ministry in an order said: “We have to urgently deploy CAPFs (central armed police force) in Jammu & Kashmir. It is requested to provide 100 coys of CAPFs (CRPF – 45, BSF-35, SSB-10 & ITBP 10) to Govt of J&K with immediate effect and till further orders. IG (ops), CRPF is requested to ensure immediate movement of forces in coordination with IG (ops) of all forces,” read a Home Ministry letter to the state government, copies of which have been also sent to IG(Ops) to CRPF, BSF, ITBP and SSB.

 The action comes eight days after an audacious terror attack on a convoy in Pulwama district in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.