Centre rushes additional 10,000 troops to Kashmir after NSA Ajit Doval's visit

Centre has decided to move over 10,000 troops to Jammu and Kashmir. The comes after National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval returned from two-day visit to the valley. This was Doval’s first visit to Kashmir after Narendra Modi-led BJP government returned to power for the second term in May. Home Ministry order says the additional forces are being deployed to strengthen "counter insurgent grid."

''In order to strengthen the central intelligence grid as well as for maintaining law and order situations in Jammu & Kashmir, deployment of additional 100 companies of central armed police forces as per details mentioned below are ordered,'' said a Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) order. 

Recently, around 40,000 additional central paramilitary forces were brought in for Amarnath Yatra security. The Centre decided to deploy about central paramilitary and state police personnel to secure the 46-day yatra that began from July 1 from the twin route -- traditional Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and shortest Baltal track in Ganderbal district. It will conclude on August 15, the day Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated in the country.

Out of the total number of forces, about 32,000 are specifically meant to guard the pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas.

Rumours are rife in Valley that Centre is going to scrap Articles 370 and 35A. To this former CM Omar Abdullah tweeted: “It’s surprising to say the least that instead of calming tempers and reassuring people in the Valley, a large section of the administration is busy trying to scare people to expect massive unrest and trouble after August 15.”