Deployment of 10,000 fresh Indian troops sparks fear in occupied Kashmir
Deployment follows US President's statement of mediation on Kashmir dispute during meeting with PM Imran
An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier stands guard on a glacier at Chandanwari, some 115km southeast of Srinagar. PHOTO: AFP
SRINAGAR:
Tensions in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) rose on Sunday over the weekend deployment of at least 10,000 paramilitary troops to the troubled region despite authorities' assertions the move was routine.
India maintains a deployment of 500,000 soldiers in the Muslim-majority Himalayan region. The region has seen a resurgence of hostilities in recent years, while locals are fearful about the loss of special privileges after India's Supreme Court last year began hearing a case challenging a constitutional provision.
A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deployment was to guard against possible protests about a decision or event, without giving further details.
He added that India's security set-up in IoK was "being re-oriented like never before".
Locals said they were worried Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wanted to set aside a constitutional provision -- Article 35A -- which would allow Indians from outside the disputed territory to buy land there.
The deployment follows the uproar sparked by US President Donald Trump after he claimed during a meeting with PM Imran Khan that Modi asked him to mediate in the Kashmir dispute.
IoK was brought under New Delhi's direct rule in June 2018 after Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew support for its local partner and dissolved the elected local government.
Tensions in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) rose on Sunday over the weekend deployment of at least 10,000 paramilitary troops to the troubled region despite authorities' assertions the move was routine.
India maintains a deployment of 500,000 soldiers in the Muslim-majority Himalayan region. The region has seen a resurgence of hostilities in recent years, while locals are fearful about the loss of special privileges after India's Supreme Court last year began hearing a case challenging a constitutional provision.
A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deployment was to guard against possible protests about a decision or event, without giving further details.
He added that India's security set-up in IoK was "being re-oriented like never before".
Locals said they were worried Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government wanted to set aside a constitutional provision -- Article 35A -- which would allow Indians from outside the disputed territory to buy land there.
The deployment follows the uproar sparked by US President Donald Trump after he claimed during a meeting with PM Imran Khan that Modi asked him to mediate in the Kashmir dispute.
IoK was brought under New Delhi's direct rule in June 2018 after Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew support for its local partner and dissolved the elected local government.