Centre orders deployment of 2 Assam Rifles battalions to Jammu

Srinagar, Aug 3: The Centre on Saturday ordered the deployment of two battalions (around 2000 personnel) of Assam Rifles to the Jammu region which has seen an increase in terror attacks in recent months.

The move comes days after the Centre moved over 2000 BSF personnel from Odisha to the region in the backdrop of recent attacks in Jammu.

The recent spate of terror attacks in the Jammu region, which had been pronounced a “terror-free” zone around 15 years ago, has seen the security agencies scrambling for a tough response, reported India Today.

Around 50 highly-trained Pakistan-based fighters are believed to have infiltrated the upper reaches of Jammu, including Doda, Rajouri, Udhampur, and other adjacent areas.

The move to deploy additional troops is seen as a part of a major counter-terror offensive in the otherwise calm Jammu region.

In addition to being highly skilled in armed combat, the infiltrating terrorists are believed to be equipped with some of the most modern and sophisticated weapons, including US-made M4 Carbine rifles fitted with night vision devices, India Today reported.

These highly-trained fighters are said to be responsible for the deaths of nine security personnel in the first three weeks of June this year.

On July 8, four soldiers were killed while six others were injured when terrorists attacked an Army convoy in the Kathua area of Jammu.

The casualty count for this year is rapidly approaching closer to the number of deaths recorded in 2023, which saw 20 deaths of soldiers.

Army sources suspect the involvement of Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group (SSG) in the terror attack.

In addition to Poonch and Rajouri, there have been attacks in Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda.

The most recent incident occurred on July 15 in the Dessa Hills of Doda, where four soldiers, including a captain, were killed.

Since the start of this year, 14 terror attacks have taken place across six districts of the Jammu region, which have resulted in the deaths of 27 people, including 11 security personnel, a Village Defence Guard, and five terrorists.