MASSIVE: Home Ministry issues notification entitling CAPF personnel air travel on Jammu-Srinagar-Delhi routes

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday issued a notification for the personnel of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), entitling them air travel on Jammu-Srinagar-Delhi routes with immediate effect.

In light of the recent Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF jawans attained martyrdom after their convoy was struck with an IED blast, the government has decided that the security forces are entitled to travel through air.

This massive decision will benefit close to 8 lakh security personnel, who were earlier not entitled to travel via air. Further, the forces can avail this benefit not just during their duty hours, but also when they are on leave.

Following is the statement issued by the Home Ministry in this regard:

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In a significant decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the entitlement of air travel on Delhi-Srinagar, Srinagar-Delhi, Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Jammu sectors to all the personnel of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces. The decision will immediately benefit approximately 780,000 personnel of the CAPFs in the ranks of Constable, Head Constable and ASI who were otherwise not eligible earlier. This includes journey on duty and journey on leave, i.e; while going on leave from Jammu and Kashmir to home and return.

This facility is in addition to the existing air courier services for CAPFs that have been steadily extended in all sectors by the MHA to help the jawans cut down on travel time during their journey to and fro from home on leave.

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Exactly a week ago, a 70-vehicle convoy carrying the CRPF jawans from Jammu to Srinagar was attacked with an IED blast at the Pulwama district. It resulted in 40 security personnel attaining martyrdom and several others suffering injuries. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack.

READ: Government Downgrades And Withdraws The Security Of All 18 Hurriyat Leaders And 155 Other Political Persons

The air travel entitlement to the CAPF personnel is one of the many steps taken by the Home Ministry to curtail terrorism and provide security to the forces.

Days after the attack, the government said that it will cut down and remove the security for those individuals who work hand in hand with Pakistan and ISI. And on Wednesday, the Home Ministry announced that the security of 18 Hurriyat leaders and 155 political leaders and activists in J&K was withdrawn.