ISLAMABAD – India has significantly enhanced the military deployment alongPakistan borders, while Indian Air Force has been put on high alert inOccupied Kashmir and LoC.
A day after India’s central government decision to dispatch an additional28,000 paramilitary forces to the Valley, Army and Indian Air Force (IAF)were put on high alert in Jammu and Kashmir, which has led to speculationsand tension in the state.
The IAF fighter aircraft have been patrolling over Kashmir since Thursdayevening as part of the operational alert and sources said the steps havebeen taken in view of the increased troops’ induction.
Despite the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi denyingreports of deployment of additional 28,000 paramilitary troops in thestate, they said, the government has pressed IAF aircraft, including C-17heavy lift planes into service for rapid induction of paramilitary forcesinto the Valley.
“Rashtriya Rifles and other regular units of army deployed on the LoC havebeen asked to be prepared for any eventuality,” sources added.
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The sources quoting unnamed official reported that all major entry and exitpoints in the Srinagar city have been taken over by the Central ArmedParamilitary Forces (CAPFs) with a token presence of local police.
Reacting to the development of IAF and Army being put on high alert, formerIndian held Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: “What ‘ongoingsituation’ in Kashmir would require the army AND the Air Force to be put onalert? This isn’t about 35A or delimitation. This sort of alert, ifactually issued, would be about something very different (sic).”
