Srinagar, The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has significantly increased its military presence in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, citing the enhancement of security measures in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections and the Hindu pilgrimage, Amarnath Yatra.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the reinforcement includes personnel from various Indian paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and National Security Guard (NSG). Officials have confirmed the arrival of these forces in the territory by April 1, 2024, with additional deployments along crucial highways and strategic points.

The region, already heavily militarized with over one million Indian forces personnel, has seen a further escalation in military presence, exacerbating the tensions and hardships experienced by the local Kashmiri population.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of IIOJK, PK Pole, asserted that efforts are being made to ensure the Lok Sabha elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and peaceful manner, with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) providing necessary security support. Measures include intensified frisking along the Srinagar-Jammu highway and the establishment of checkpoints and barricades across Srinagar and other major towns to conduct random searches of vehicles.

Officials emphasize that the deployment aims to secure polling stations and aid local police in maintaining order, with plans for continuous patrolling of the Amarnath Yatra routes by armed personnel and surveillance through Mobile Bunker Vehicles (MBVs) equipped with 360-degree cameras.

The Lok Sabha elections in the region are scheduled to occur in five phases, beginning on April 19 and concluding on May 20, 2024. The Amarnath Yatra is set to start on July 1 and end on August 31, 2024, further increasing the security footprint in the contested territory.