49 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be deployed in J&K for smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra, commencing from July 1. Of these, 11 companies would be deployed in Jammu at the vulnerable spots while 38 companies would assist other security agencies as a part of the three-tier security grid to be put in place for Amarnath Yatra. Two all women companies too would be part of this security grid.
Besides, the CRPF will soon have its own firing range in this winter capital of the state.
This was informed by A.S. Sidhu, Inspector General of Police (IGP), CRPF, Jammu sector, while talking to media on the sidelines of the inaugural function of a training centre here on Friday morning.
A training institute built at a cost of Rs 27 lakhs at the CRPF headquarters at Bantalab in city outskirts would cater jawans with techniques like clearing obstacles, long jumps, high jumps, rope climbing and other skills.
Mr Sidhu disclosed that the government of Jammu and Kashmir has allotted 35 kanals of land to the CRPF near Kot Bhalwal for constructing its first ever firing range in the state.
It will help us in making the jawans more skilled, the IGP said.
He further said that the newly inaugurated centre would also provide commandos like special training to the jawans.
Mr Sidhu said that it is a challenge for the CRPF while additional deployment has been made along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Troops have been put on alert, escort vehicles, pickets on upper reaches in mountainous belts have also been installed to provide incident free Amarnath yatra to the pilgrims visiting from across the country.
He said that the force would also assist Jammu and Kashmir police while gadgetry equipment and quick action teams have also been constituted to meet any eventuality.