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India starts relaxing military deployment

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Military deployment along the Pakistan border has been relaxed extensively, with leaves and resumption of courses in military institutions.

However, the government insists that the troops would not be withdrawn from the border with Pakistan 'at least till Jammu and Kashmir election'.

According to sources, the Indian Air Force would bring down its level of fighter concentration along the border by sending back some aircraft that had been rushed from rest of the country.

"All this is in response to Pakistan's assurance to the US that they would not support any cross-border infiltration. But our final withdrawal would solely depend on our satisfaction," a senior defence ministry official said.

The easing of military deployment began with the Indian Navy withdrawing over 20 battleships from their forward deployment close to the Pakistan waters early last week.

According to army officials, battalions deployed along the border have begun granting leaves to its soldiers 'on an emergency basis' from Monday.

"There is a heavy demand from soldiers for leave. But we have for the time being put a sealing that soldiers on leave should not exceed 15 per cent of the total strength," a senior army officer in headquarters said.

In peace times, up to 30 per cent of a unit is granted leave at a given point of time.

The three forces are also resuming their promotional courses, which are compulsory for higher rank promotions. The headquarters has already recalled their instructors, who are presently posted along the border, back to the institutes.

The Staff College courses are set to begin on July 25.

"Within the next six weeks, we expect all instructors of category A establishments such as the College of Combat, and schools of infantry, armoured corps and artillery to be on duty," the army officer said.

"The relaxation is no way indication of any troop pullout," a senior defence ministry official said.

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