Omar gets his way, CRPF to shed combat fatigues

After Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah objected to paramilitary forces wearing camouflage, which he said made the state look like a “war zone”, the government has decided that the CRPF will patrol Srinagar streets only in khaki and not in their usual disruptive pattern (DP) combat fatigues.

After Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah objected to paramilitary forces wearing camouflage, which he said made the state look like a “war zone”, the government has decided that the CRPF will patrol Srinagar streets only in khaki and not in their usual disruptive pattern (DP) combat fatigues.

HT Image

“The force will be in khaki in the Valley and other towns in J&K, while wear camouflage dress only in forest and remote areas of the state,” CRPF director general A. S. Gill told HT. The issue raised by some quarters, including the Army, has been resolved, he added.

The decision would help make the troops less visible in the Valley, said a home ministry official.

The CRPF men started wearing combat fatigues (which resembles that of the Indian Army) in the Valley after the paramilitary force headquarters issued an order for the same in 2004.

Despite the Army and some J&K leaders objecting to it, the paramilitary force justified it, saying the men were required to wear the combat fatigues as they were involved in anti-terror operations in the state.

A few months ago, Omar Abdullah, however, took up the matter with the Centre, saying there was no need for them to wear the camouflage gear for street patrolling.