‘30,000 soldiers withdrawn from J&K’
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
Union Defence Minister AK Antony on Friday announced that the Army had withdrawn two divisions (about 30,000 men) from Jammu and Kashmir as security situation was improving.
He said the Government could pull out more troops if the situation further got better but favoured continuing with the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to enable the Army to deal with terrorism and insurgency.
Stating that the law and order situation in the border State was improving, the Minister said, "Indian Army, by their own initiatives, have withdrawn two divisions (30,000) from J&K. Last year, they withdrew one, and this year the second division was withdrawn. They have been withdrawn because the situation has improved."
The two divisions were moved to their respective static locations in West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh over a span of two and half years. These two divisions were sent back in a phased manner in small detachments, sources said. These divisions were deployed in the wake of Kargil war in 1991 and during Operation Parakram in 2002.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on internal security, Antony said, "Whenever we feel situation is improving, we are willing to further reduce the visibility and presence of the Armed Forces. But at the same time, as long as the Army and Armed Forces are deployed, they need some special powers. Without special powers, Army cannot operate. I think with special powers they will not be able to act effectively. But at the same time, we can have a detailed discussion about making some modifications here and there."
Crediting the Armed Forces' presence for the improved situation in the State, he said, "Because of the presence of Armed Forces and their dedication and hard work, we have been able to prevent terrorists' attempts (to strike). That is why in J&K, for the first time, situation is improving and the number of infiltrations and violent instances are also declining."
Inaugurating the seminar, Antony said the operation of AFSPA allowed the Armed Forces to act in 'difficult situations' in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.
He, however, said the onus was on Armed Forces to stop 'misuse' of these special provisions adding 'I wish to emphasise here that we will not hesitate in taking stern action against the guilty, in case of any misuse. We must adopt the policy of 'zero tolerance' in letter and spirit, towards any instance of human rights violation.
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