4,000 ex-troops to guard vital infrastructure across J&K

SRINAGAR: J&K government has approved a proposal for deploying former military personnel to safeguard vital infrastructure across the Union territory, an official said on Saturday.

The official said 4,000 ex-servicemen volunteers have been identified for the initiative, and their role is “non-combatant”, focusing on static guard duties, presence-based deterrence, and local coordination.

Among the personnel identified, 435 possess licensed personal weapons, significantly enhancing the capacity to respond effectively to localised security situations, the official said. “They will be employed for the protection of critical infrastructure in all 20 districts, including power stations, bridges, govt installations and other vulnerable points,” he said.

The initiative builds upon the success during the Covid pandemic, where 2,500 ex-servicemen volunteered to support the administration. The increase to 4,000 reflects the growing spirit of service among veterans and trust reposed in them by the govt and local populace.