The Centre has deployed an additional 10,000 paramilitary troops in Jammu and Kashmir late on Friday night.
The Union Home Ministry sent a directive to the Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the additional forces will strengthen the anti-terrorist operation and help to maintain law and order.
According to the directive, 50 companies of CRPF, 30 companies from SSB, and 10 companies each from the BSF and ITBP have been deployed additionally with the existing forces. The directive also details about the troops who will be deployed on the occasion of Independence Day on 15th August.
The decision from the Centre comes days after NSA Ajit Doval's visit to the insurgency-hit state which is under President's rule. Last February, around 100 companies of extra troops were deployed in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Political parties slammed the move with former IAS officer and J&K People's Party chief Shah Faesal suspecting "something sinister."
Lashing out at the central government, PDP chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti said that the Jammu and Kashmir conflict is a “political problem” and that it cannot be solved by “military means”.