In what can be seen as a major shift in the security policy, the central government is considering key changes in the security deployment in Jammu Kashmir, as per reports.
According to officials, the plan is to gradually move the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) out of urban areas and position them along the international border with Pakistan, while the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) would take charge of maintaining internal security across the region.
According to a senior government official ,discussions are ongoing but no final decision has been taken yet.“Both the Defence Ministry and the Home Ministry are holding meetings on this issue. However, no final decision has been taken yet,” the official said.The move comes in the backdrop of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where militants believed to have infiltrated months earlier carried out the strike. The government believes RR, being a counter-insurgency force raised from the Army, is best suited for border security.
Security experts have broadly welcomed the proposal. Former BSF DIG S.S. Kothial said, “Deploying CRPF is a good decision for the overall internal security of Jammu Kashmir. The Army (Rashtriya Rifles) is well trained to guard India’s border with Pakistan, while CRPF is well trained to ensure the internal security of the country.”
He added that given the current situation in the Valley, “CRPF is the best option to maintain law and order.”According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Union Territory has witnessed a sharp decline in militancy-related incidents over the past five years. Home Secretary Govind Mohan noted, “Civilian killings in Jammu and Kashmir have significantly reduced in the last five years. Terror incidents dropped from 286 in 2019 to just 40 by November 2024.”MHA data shows a similar decline in attacks on security forces, from 96 incidents in 2019 to only 5 in 2024. Killings of security personnel too fell from 77 in 2019 to just 7 in 2024.
However, not all experts believe CRPF alone is sufficient. Former IPS officer and security analyst Prakash Singh stressed that the Border Security Force (BSF) should also be considered. “CRPF has strong internal security capabilities. But earlier, it was BSF that was responsible for Jammu Kashmir’s internal security. The government should also think about restoring BSF’s role,” he said.
Historically, BSF was deployed in the 1990s when militancy began, but around 2005 it was replaced by CRPF to allow BSF to refocus on border management, a recommendation that followed the 1999 Kargil war. A senior CRPF officer, requesting anonymity, confirmed that discussions are at an advanced stage. “Once a final decision is taken, the formal deputation of CRPF personnel to maintain law and order in Jammu and Kashmir will begin,” the officer said.
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