The Indian Army on Friday deployed soldiers in four southern districts of Jammu and Kashmir that saw the worst violence during the ongoing unrest in the state. Of the 70 civilians deaths in the Valley in the past two months, more than 50 died in clashes in the districts of Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam.
This is the first time in two years that army officers were stationed in the state's rural areas, according to The Times of India. Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh reviewed the situation in these regions on Friday and directed his troops to stay vigilant and maintain order. This was his fourth visit to Kashmir in the past 45 days.
A senior army official said the decision to deploy their jawaans in the South Kashmir districts was made after they noticed that the state police had "come under intense pressure in these areas" in the past two months, Hindustan Times reported.
Singh's visit came the day curfew was reimposed in parts of the Valley. Thousands of people have been affected by the violence that ensued after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. The unrest in the region has triggered a political crisis, as well as a deterioration in bilateral ties with Pakistan after the neighbouring country has called for plebiscites in the state and brought up alleged humans rights violations there.
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