Pakistan’s federal government on Sunday approved the deployment of a paramilitary “Border Security Force” in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where several people were killed in protests last month.
Up to six platoons of paramilitary forces will be deployed in the area for three months, Geo News reported.
The decision to deploy border guards came a day after Pakistan announced it would launch a major counter-terrorism operation with renewed determination.
The protests, protesting against inflation and rising electricity tariffs, were led by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and spearheaded by traders in most parts of the region. “The development came after the ‘chief minister’ of the disputed region Chaudhry Anwarul Haq met Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi,” Geo News reported.
During the meeting, the two leaders reportedly discussed the security situation, the current political situation and the next fiscal year’s budget for the conflict region.
As many as six platoons of the Border Security Force will be deployed in the region for three months to provide thorough security to hydroelectric projects at Neelum Jhelum, Mangla and Gurpur besides providing police support.
Four days of protests rocked Pakistan’s northwestern Kashmir region in mid-May, leaving several people dead, including a police officer, and dozens injured, with protesters demanding electricity based on the region’s hydroelectric costs, subsidies on flour and an end to privileges for the elite.
In response to the protests and the worsening security situation, the Pakistani Kashmir government deployed Pakistan Rangers to quell the situation.
Pakistan on Saturday announced the launch of Operation Azmi Isteqam (Strong Resolve) against terrorism in a renewed determination to eradicate militancy from the country. The decision was taken by the Supreme Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP).
First uploaded: 23 June 2024 20:59 IST
