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BSF Water patrols in Dal Lake
There is a visible armed forces presence in Kashmir with speeding
army convoys, road-blocks, sand-bag bunkers etc a common sight.
The above are the only three airports around and are infact Indian
Air Force (IAF) bases used for civil aviation. You can see a large
number of aircraft bunkers and fighter planes regularly taking off!!
They are quite fortress like with artillery guns and watch towers
all around, and guess what there are a series of roadblocks and security
checks as you approach the airport.
But it is very interesting and since I've never had military training
all their weapons are very fascinating. AK-47, one of the most popular
guns in the world and there are plenty around here! Its about 3-4
Kg and is really very handy as compared to a SLR (self loading rifle)
6-7 Kg or the LMG (light machine gun - and trust me its not light)
and kinda fixed gun....
And the armoured vehicles are quite a common sight.
I was told that the militants or mujahid as they are locally
known tend to target these BSF, CRPF and other Army units in the state.
But even though innocent civilians also become a target of their bombings
and attacks, that lately include attacks on temples creating a communal
divide. |
Asia