Para troops entitled to flights, now

Paramilitary personnel deployed in Kashmir Valley for counter-terror operations are now entitled to take commercial flights to either join duty or go on leave. The much-needed concession has come on the heels of the Pulwama massacre. Until now, officers of rank of Inspectors and above were given this facility. As many as 65,000 Central Reserve Police Force personnel are deployed in the state as part of 65 battalions, apart from units of the Border Security Force, the IndoTibetan Border Police, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Sashastra Seema Bal and the National Security Guard. These units discharge a variety of roles in the internal security grid.

The decision was precipitated by the fact that an explosives-laden vehicle was detonated near a CRPF bus that was part of a convoy.

Questions were raised as to why these troops are not allowed to travel by air, so that the risk and threat of travelling by road, in large convoys, is minimised.

A senior official said constables, head constables and sub-officers will now be able to book tickets in regular commercial flights and claim reimbursement from their organisation. A senior official said the step will allow more and more personnel to undertake air travel to and from Kashmir but the requirement of running convoys cannot be brought to zero.