The first batch of CoBRA commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force have completed training in the jungles of Jammu and Kashmir and have been deployed in Kupwara, officials aware of the matter said.
This is the first time that the Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA), created in 2009 to fight Maoist insurgents, have been moved out of central and eastern India and sent to J&K.
“Some companies of CoBRA were partly removed from Bihar and Jharkhand because of the decline in cases of Naxal violence there. Six months ago, their training started in the jungles of J&K,” an official said, declining to be named.
“The training is over and they have been posted in Kupwara but are yet to be used in any operation so far.”
The men were brought to J&K in April. In Kashmir, the CRPF is involved in counter-insurgency and maintaining law and order. It works with J&K police and the Indian Army.
The move to start deploying CoBRA commandos, also called jungle warriors, is part of the government’s plan to use the specialised force in areas where the government repeals the Armed Forces Special Power Act, officials said.
