In a pivotal development, the Jammu and Kashmir Administration has equipped the Forest Protection Force with weapons, empowering them to counter terrorism threats while ensuring the security of the expansive forests in the region. The Forest Protection Force Team stationed in Rajouri has been armed, with directives to conduct regular patrolling and assert dominance over the areas they safeguard.
Masued Ahmed, Assistant Director of the Forest Protection Force, shared insights with The Daily Guardian, highlighting that force personnel are adept in specialised weapon handling, having received training at the Punjab Training Centre and other training facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. The provisioning of weapons received due approval from the government. Ahmed affirmed that the troops are well-prepared not only to secure the forests but also to address any emerging terrorist threats in the region.
The move by the Jammu and Kashmir Government is recognised as a strategic measure to bolster hinterland security. The Forest Protection Force operates deep within forest areas and can act as a force multiplier in counter-terrorism operations.
Colonel VK Sahi, a Defense Expert, welcomes this development as a positive step. However, he underscores the necessity of conducting police verifications before providing weapons to these guards. This precautionary measure is crucial to prevent the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands.
This significant development comes at a time when the Rajouri district has witnessed multiple terror attacks this year. Notable incidents include a well-planned attack on civilians in Dhangri, resulting in casualties, and terror attacks in the woods of Kandi, claiming the lives of five Indian Army Special Forces ‘Para’ personnel. The Forest Protection Force’s enhanced capabilities aim to fortify the region’s security apparatus and contribute significantly to counter-terrorism efforts.