Challenges have increased manifold in Jammu and Kashmir since Taliban took over Afghanistan, CRPF DG Kuldeep Singh said in a statement a day before his retirement from service.
“The challenges have increased and it is now seen”, there in Jammu and Kashmir with inputs of sometime an increase in the number of foreign terrorists and later a little bit decrease in the number.
Singh, however, clarified that the number of terrorists in current period is very low. “The number of terrorists (active) is below 200 which used to be 240 at some time.”
The CRPF DG said the number of the terrorists are both from abroad and locals as well.
“In last few years, there is a trend that the number of terrorists, both foreign and locals, used to be 230-240. But the number has now remained below 200 as many of them are neutralised time to time by security forces,” Singh further said.
Meanwhile, he expected it cannot be denied that there is no challenge in Jammu and Kashmir.
In his farewell speech, the DG also mentioned that CRPF is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the internal security of the country and that it is deployed across the length and breadth of the country for assisting State Police and Civil Administration in discharge of their duties.
He also informed that the CRPF also provides protection to 119 dignitaries out of which 18 are in Z Plus and 27 are in Z category
“The Force now has 246 Battalions (BNs) of which 202 are GD (Ground Futy) BNs, six VIP Security, six Mahila, 15 RAF, 10 CoBRA, five signal, and one each of PDG and SDG. The Force also has 43 Group Centers, four 100 bedded Composite Hospitals,” Singh said.
He pointed out how the Naxal activities have been contained to a very large extent in the left Wing Extremism affected areas.
“There is a discernible improvement in the situation and the areas which were earlier considered to be the stronghold of Maoists are now free of their influence and dominated by Security Forces,” Singh said, adding “the force played a key role in making the state of Bihar Maoist free.”
“Maoists have been pushed out of Chakarbandha and Bheembandh area, and now Bihar has become virtually Maoists free.”