CRPF’s strong resolve in post-370 Kashmir, anti-terror operations hailed at 85th Raising Day by Home Minister

New Delhi, Apr 17: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was hailed for its decisive role in restoring peace in Jammu & Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, as Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah led the 85th CRPF Raising Day celebrations in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. Addressing the parade as Chief Guest, Shah praised the CRPF’s unwavering commitment to national security, particularly in the volatile aftermath of the constitutional shift in J&K. “At a time when many feared unrest, the CRPF ensured peace with such discipline that not a single bullet was fired, nor a single polling booth looted.

That in itself is historic,” he said. Shah described the force as a “symbol of the nation’s resolve” in countering both terrorism and separatism in the Valley. “From militancy in Kashmir to red terror in the forests, CRPF has stood as India’s first line of internal defence,” he added.



The Home Minister paid tribute to the 2,264 CRPF personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, stating their legacy would shine in the golden book of India’s centenary of independence in 2047. “The presence of CRPF at any site of unrest reassures the nation—they do not just hold the line, they restore order,” Shah said.Tracing the force’s journey since its formation in 1939 as the Crown Representative Police, Shah credited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for giving the CRPF its post-independence identity and mission.

Now the world’s largest paramilitary force, the CRPF comprises 3 lakh personnel operating across 248 battalions and multiple zonal and sectoral headquarters.Kashmir After Article 370: A Turning PointShah singled out the CRPF’s role in Jammu & Kashmir after the Centre revoked Article 370 in August 2019, a move that stripped the region of its special status. “The international community watched with bated breath, but it was the CRPF and other security forces that ensured peace without provocation,” he said.

Assembly elections and local body polls in the years following the move were conducted with minimal incidents, thanks largely to the presence of CRPF and allied forces. “No insurgency could rise when faced with the discipline and strategic preparedness of CRPF,” Shah remarked. He also credited the CRPF with foiling several terrorist attempts in the region over the past five years, often through coordinated intelligence-sharing and tactical forward deployments.

Frontline Against Naxalism and TerrorBeyond J&K, Shah highlighted CRPF’s role in rolling back Naxalism. “From Pashupatinath to Tirupati, Naxals once dreamed of spreading red terror. Today, they are confined to just four districts—and that too, because of the bravery of CRPF, especially the Cobra Battalion,” he said.

By establishing over 400 forward operating bases in Naxal-hit areas over the last five years, CRPF has helped reduce Maoist violence by over 70 percent in a decade. “We have set a clear goal: by March 31, 2026, Naxalism will be eradicated from Indian soil, and CRPF will make it happen,” Shah declared.Amit Shah recounted several landmark moments in CRPF history, from the 1959 Hot Spring standoff with Chinese troops, to the 1965 battle at Sardar Post against Pakistan, to foiling attacks on Parliament and Ram Janmabhoomi in the early 2000s.

Amit Shah highlighted that the CRPF has consistently performed with courage on every front, whether it is pilgrimage security at Amarnath and Vaishno Devi, or maintaining peace during massive gatherings like the Maha Kumbh.Global Recognition CRPF’s international deployments under UN peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka, Haiti, Kosovo, and Liberia were also acknowledged. With 2,708 medals, the CRPF has been the most decorated among all CAPFs.

Shah also highlighted the Modi government’s welfare initiatives for CAPFs, including Ayushman CAPF health cards, expanded air courier services, e-Housing portal, and increased female recruitment with new barrack infrastructure. He also noted CRPF’s participation in national campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Har Ghar Tiranga, as well as a major green initiative where CAPFs have planted over six crore saplings across India in the last five years.The post CRPF’s strong resolve in post-370 Kashmir, anti-terror operations hailed at 85th Raising Day by Home Minister appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

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