Security beefed up in J&K as MHA deploys additional 100 companies of paramilitary forces with 'immediate effect'

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a letter dated February 22, ordered additional 100 companies of paramilitary forces to be deployed to the Kashmir Valley with 'immediate effect' with the number of forces already stationed in the state. The letter was addressed to the Jammu and Kashmir home secretary, the state chief secretary and the director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

In the letter. the MHA has also requested the CRPF to “ensure immediate movement” of the armed forces.

"We have to urgently deploy additional CAPFs in Jammu and Kashmir. It is requested to provide 100 coys of CAPFs (CRPF-45, BSF-35, SSB-10 & ITBP-10) to the government of J&K with immediate effects, CRPF is requested to ensure immediate movement of forces in coordination with IG," reads the statement. 

READ: JKLF Chief Yasin Malik Arrested From His J&K Residence In Crackdown On Separatists

Meanwhile, in a midnight crackdown on separatist leaders, Jammu and Kashmir police arrested JKLF chief Yasin Mailk on Friday.  He was arrested from his Maisuma residence in Srinagar and has been taken to the Kothibagh Police Station.

He was detained from his residence in Srinagar, ahead of the crucial hearing on Article 35A in Supreme Court which is likely to take place on Monday, as reported by news agency ANI.

Raising concerns over incidents of assaults and harassment against residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the MHA has directed the state governments and Union Territories to ensure safety and security of the individuals in the wake of Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred in a suicide bombing perpetrated by Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit. Furthermore, the security has also been beefed up in Jammu and Kashmir following the attack.

Earlier, on Friday, two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were killed by security forces in Warpora area in Sopore district of North Kashmir after an 18-hour long encounter operation. The security and J-K police forces jointly conducted a Cordon and Search operation in the district, which was carried after credible information about the presence of terrorists in the area. 

READ: BIG WIN: Security Forces Kill Two Jaish-e-Mohammed Terrorists In J&K's Sopore