Deployment of troops on the border/Line of Control (LoC) and within J&K, which is affected by external dimensions of terrorism (cross-border infiltration), is a sensitive security issue. It requires detailed professional inputs and assessments. The strength and deployment of troops along the border/LoC are decided on the basis of assessed military and non-military threats (including infiltration) from neighbouring countries and internal security requirements. The deployment in the hinterland is to ensure public and property security and to isolate/eliminate terrorists. There are several tactical and administrative considerations for such deployment. Deployment, particularly in the hinterland, is seldom permanent. The increase or decrease of troops and their redeployment is constantly under review. It depends upon information, local and overall assessments and operational missions.

The dynamic nature of troop deployment does not mean that it can be a switch-on and switch-off affair. It involves orientation and familiarisation of the terrain and the situation becoming operationally effective. A PDP member has belatedly tried to clarify that their demand is for the return of troops to the cantonment and not for de-militarisation. Another member has cited the example of Assam Rifles vacating Kangla Fort in Imphal. But that was done for a new location near by. All this fuels the suspicion that the PDP demands are more political and less related to the security situation.

My contention is that deciding such sensitive issues without professional consultations or by using political and street pressure to ensure such changes in policy implies sidelining of the professional advice for political expediency. Making professional institutions and advice irrelevant or ineffective in order to make political capital would be a retrograde step.

... contd.