Military veterans in India are set to be redeployed as security guards in Indian-administered Kashmir, following a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan. This development comes in the wake of escalating violence that claimed around 70 lives, ignited by an attack on tourists last month, which New Delhi attributed to support from Pakistan—a claim Islamabad vehemently denies.
According to a government press release, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved a proposal to mobilize ex-servicemen to secure vital infrastructure throughout the Union Territory. The initiative identifies approximately 4,000 veterans as non-combatant volunteers, of which 435 possess licensed personal weapons. This program aims to enhance the local security response capabilities significantly.
The veterans will be engaged in “static guard” roles, with a focus on presence-based deterrence and local coordination efforts. India’s strategy in Kashmir already includes around half a million soldiers permanently stationed in the region, a territory that has historically been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, leading to multiple wars.
The insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir has persisted since 1989, with militants advocating for either independence or a merger with Pakistan. Although violence had decreased since 2019 following the revocation of the territory’s partial autonomy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, tensions have surged recently. Last year, the government deployed thousands of additional troops, including special forces, in response to a spate of deadly attacks that resulted in the deaths of over 50 soldiers within three years.
This new initiative recalls a similar effort during the Covid-19 pandemic, where around 2,500 veterans were mobilized to assist in various security and support roles. The current deployment reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize the region amid persistent challenges.
