New Delhi: In a significant move to tackle terrorism in Kashmir valley, a joint operation of the three services, comprising the special forces of Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have been effected to carry out counter-terrorist operations.

The troops include the Army’s Para (Special Forces), Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and Indian Air Force’s Garud.

The special forces have been deployed under the defence ministry’s Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) which is under a Major General of the Indian Army.

The troops have been deployed in the area around Srinagar city and rural areas near it. The MARCOS commandos are deployed in and around the Wular lake area while the Garud teams have been operating in the Lolab area and Hajin.

The induction of the joint special troops has already started as the Army Para (SF) elements have already been inducted into an area considered to be a traditional terror hotbed.

The troops will be carrying out anti-terrorist operations along with the existing Indian Army Rashtriya Rifles unit in the area.