The shifting of the division comes close on the demand by separatists and opposition PDP to withdraw troops from the state in view of the improved security situation there.
With the Centre planning to increase the role of the state police to maintain security in Jammu and Kashmir, an army division comprising 15,000 troops has been fully withdrawn from the state, a senior army officer said.
The 39th Mountain Division has been withdrawn from Rajouri and Poonch to its base in Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. "This division has been withdrawn and it has reached its base in Himachal Pradesh," the officer said.
The shifting of the division comes close on the demand by separatists and opposition PDP to withdraw troops from the state in view of the improved security situation there.
The process of shifting started in August end and complete withdrawal of the Division was done by November.
The 39 Mountain Division was shifted to Rajouri and Poonch border districts to assist the joint security grid in conducting counter insurgency operations and undertake counter infiltration measures in 1994.
To a question about withdrawal of the formation to its parent place in Palampur, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 9 corps Lt Gen GM Nair had told reporters at Yole Corps headquarters in Himachal Pradesh on September 1 that the process of shifting the division had already started and some units had already reached their parent place. The division was not only involved in counter insurgency along with the police, BSF and CRPF but also had the responsibility of anti-infiltration along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch sectors in addition to the permanent formations.
It may be recalled that the Centre has to decided to slowly increase the responsibility of the police in counter-insurgency operations.
Apart from this, 10 more security force battalions have also been withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir under slow troop thinning exercise in the past two months period.
Conforming this, Jammu and Kashmir director general of police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda told PTI that as many as seven battalions of Central Reserve Police force (CRPF) and three battalions of Border Security Force (BSF) have been withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir till now.
While CRPF has been withdrawn mostly from Kashmir valley and parts of Doda belt, BSF has been withdrawn from Ramban and Rajouri areas of the state.
"Adequate security measures have been put in place. There is nothing to worry. More India Reserve Police Battalions are being raised to strengthen the police force in the state," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}