No troop reduction in J-K: Army

Army on Monday said though the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved considerably, there will be no troop reduction as it may lead to problems for security forces engaged in counter terrorist operations in the state.

Army on Monday said though the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved considerably, there will be no troop reduction as it may lead to problems for security forces engaged in counter terrorist operations in the state.

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"No, there is no such proposal ... We have to carry on the pressure on terrorists. If you let anything loose, then we may have problems," a senior Army official said when asked if there was any proposal for "thinning" troop presence in J-K.

He said the situation has "improved considerably in the state but it has not reached a situation where such a move can be made by the Government".

Anti-peace elements were still active in the Valley and constant vigil has to be maintained there to continue the present atmosphere, the official said.

The Army's stand on the issue comes against the backdrop of demands by various groups to remove the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain parts of the state in view of improved security scenario there.

The Army has been opposing any such move saying a similar step in Manipur, where the Imphal valley was denotified from the AFSPA, has resulted in creation of safe pockets for terrorists.