CRPF Director General in Kashmir to review security arrangments

Srinagar, June 27 (UNI) CRPF Director General S I S Ahmad arrived here on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the security arrangments for the two-month-long annual Amarnath pilgrimage, commencing from June 30, and counter- insurgency operations by the para-military force.

Official sources said Mr Ahmad, immediately after his arrival from Delhi, was given a detailed brief by senior CRPF officials about the overall security situation in the valley.

He also interacted with CRPF officers and other ranks at Baramulla and Sopore in north Kashmir.

Sources said Mr Ahmad was told about the counter-insurgency operations being conducted by the CRPF and other security forces in the valley.

The CRPF chief is scheduled to visit Baltal, the base camp for Amarnath pilgrimage, where the force has set up camps. The CRPF has been given the responsiblility for overall security of the camp.

He will also visit holy cave shrine tomorrow and will take stock of the security arrangements for safe 'yatra' at different halting points on traditional Pahalgam route.

Before leavaing for Delhi, Mr Ahmad will visit Jammu on June 29 where he will review the security arrangments for the pilgrims, intending to visit the Amarnath cave shrine.

As many as 75 battalions, including three women battalions of CRPF, are deployed in the state--58 in Kashmir division and 14 in Jammu-- for counter-insurgency and security of VVIPs and other vital installations.

They replaced BSF and ITBP in the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar city.

UNI