MHA rejects media reports on no more air transit for CRPF troopers

The Union Home Ministry on Monday rejected as "untrue" some media reports suggesting that air transit facility on the Jammu-Srinagar sector for CRPF troopers has not been allowed.

It also said the movement of paramilitary convoys by road will continue in Jammu and Kashmir as it was necessary for logistical and operational reasons. This was also, it said, the case with the army.

"These (reports) are untrue. Over the last few years, MHA had significantly enhanced the air courier services for CAPFs (Central Armed Paramilitary Forces) in all sectors to help the jawans cut down on travel time during their journey to and back from home on leave," the ministry said in statement.

Its clarification came in the wake of reports suggesting that the Central government has rejected a proposal to ferry personnel of paramilitary forces from the Jammu-Srinagar sector by chopper.

The ministry said air courier services for transportation of jawans are already in operation for quite some time and included initially the Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu sector. Later, at the request of the CAPFs in December 2017, the services were extended to Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar-Jammu-Delhi and there were 7 flights a week.

In addition, air support is provided by the Indian Air Force as and when required, it said.

--IANS

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