Indirect, but crucial role for Army in J

Jammu, Nov 6 (UNI) Army would provide external cover to the multi-layered security set-up put in place to ensure peaceful Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Although Army would not be involved directly in the election process in J&K, yet it holds an important task of checking militant activities, particularly in areas which have been declared ''hypersensitive'' or ''sensitive''.

''There will be no direct involvement of Army in the Assembly elections, but it will play a major role in ensuring peaceful environment for the process,'' Army spokesman at the Udhampur-based Northern Command Col D K Kachari told UNI.

''As already being done, strict vigil will be maintained along the Line of Control (LoC) to ensure zero infiltration,'' he added.

Law and order during elections will be maintained by the police with the help of paramilitary forces, who will also provide security to the polling staff.

Over 200 companies of paramilitary forces would be deployed to ensure incident-free and peaceful Assembly elections, which will be held in seven phases starting on November 17.

With the apprehensions of anti-national elements designing terror activities to disrupt the elections, an elaborate intelligence network has been set up to aid the security forces.

Over 300 militants, including several top commanders, of various outfits operating in J&K were knocked off in the counter-insurgency operations this year.

Over fifty thousand Army personnel are exclusively deployed in the counter-insurgency operations within the state.

UNI VJ PD KN1459