ISLAMABAD   -  The federal government Sunday approved deployment of Frontier Constabulary (FC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in reply to the state’s request aimed at improving the security situation.

The development came after AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad. During the meeting, the two discussed at length the law and order situation as well as the prevailing political landscape along with the AJK government’s budget for the next fiscal year.

The sources say that the FC, apart from assisting the AJK police, will provide foolproof security for Neelum-Jhelum, Mangla and Gulpur hydro-power projects.

As many as six FC platoons will be deployed in the AJK for a period of three months, the sources added.

Speaking on the occasion, Naqvi reassured the AJK PM that all possible cooperation would be extended to maintain peace and improve the security situation in the area.

Last month, AJK witnessed violent protests which resulted in multiple deaths, including that of a policeman along with dozens of people being injured during the four-day protests against inflation and high electricity tariffs.

The protests and the deteriorating law and order situation had then forced the AJK government to call in Rangers to control the situation in the valley.

Furthermore, the FC’s deployment comes a day after the federal government announced launching operation “Azm-e-Istehkam” — a national counter-terrorism drive to turn up the heat on militants targeting the state of Pakistan.

The government’s decision to launch a new operation was taken during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on National Action Plan (NAP), which was approved with the consensus of all stakeholders including provinces, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and AJK, a statement from the PM’s Office said.

The renewed and full-blown kinetic efforts of the armed forces would be augmented by full support from all law enforcement agencies.