MHA orders deployment of CISF for security of Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for the security of high security Kot Bhalwal jail, housing a large number of militants, both locals and Pakistanis. 

The CISF is expected to takeover security of Kot Bhalwal jail, located on the outskirts of Jammu City, shortly. Kot Bhalwal jail, whose security will be taken over by the CISF from CRPF in the next few days, will be the second jail in J&K whose protection will now be the responsibility of the CISF after Srinagar jail. A few days back, the CISF had taken over the security of the Srinagar jail from the CRPF which also housed a large number of militants including foreigners besides many



Public Safety Act (PSA). 

Nearly 900 militants are lodged in Kot Bhalwal jail including dreaded militants of different outfits, both locals as well as foreigners, mainly Pakistanis. The CRPF has been protecting Kot Bhalwal jail for the past quite some time. However, the security of some more prisons especially those where the militants are lodged, may also be handed over to the CISF later. 

Meanwhile, the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the staff of the Prisons Department will remain intact even after the deployment of the CISF. The CRPF troops spared from the jail protection will be used in the anti-militancy operations.