Inspector General CRPF (Kashmir Operations) M.S. Bhatia on Monday said the CRPF have the capabilities to tackle any internal security scenario challenges and if additional responsibility is given they will make sure to deliver to that mandate.
In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir, the senior CRPF officer said whatever mandate is given to CRPF, we make sure that we do it with vigor, commitment and full force.
“In future also if additional responsibilities or mandate is given, we will make sure to deliver to that mandate. We will abide by whatever decision is taken,” he said.
IG CRPF Kashmir (Ops) Bhatia was responding to a question about a report that claimed that withdrawal of Army from hinterland operations in Kashmir in a phased manner.
“This is the decision of the government of India and all the security agencies are working here on behalf of the Government. It is the matter which is decided at the highest level,” he said.
About capability and capacity of CRPF to take responsibility including intelligence network, IG CRPF Bhatia said CRPF is an operational force and has the technology, armory, training, morale, latest equipment.
“We are the oldest paramilitary force in the country. We have worked in counter insurgency situations all over the country including Maoist areas of north east. In Kashmir we have been there since the 1990’s, so we have our sort of grounding as well as the training,” he said.
The senior officer said they have the capabilities to tackle any internal security scenario challenges. “I have no doubt in my mind that we can take-up any responsibility whenever it is given to CRPF,” he said.
“Right now, we are actively involved in operations along with the Army and the J&K Police. There is good synergy, team work among the security forces on the ground,’ he said.
Regarding use of latest technology, IG CRPF Bhatia said for us technologies are acting as force multipliers during anti-terrorism operations.
“It is our moral responsibility to keep our forces safe. Technological upgradation is important and recently we have used Critical Response Vehicles in encounters, he said.
IG CRPF Kashmir (Ops) Bhatia said over the past several years, CRPF has modernised its weapons and equipment inventory to effectively deal with anti-national elements.
“Bullet-proof vehicles, wall-through radars and drones are some of the new gadgets inducted by the force into its counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir, leading to precision-based actions against terrorists,” he said.
IG CRPF Bhatia said by using such technologies our Jawans remain also safe and we safely focus on our target without facing any collateral damage. Apart from CRV, we have bullet proof JCB’s, latest modern weaponry arms and equipment,” he added.
