Jammu: CISF Takes Charge of Security at Kot Bhalwal Jail

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a paramilitary organization under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assumed responsibility for securing Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu. This high-security Central jail in the Union Territory houses over 900 prisoners including foreign nationals. The transfer of security control from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to the CISF took place on October 20 with approximately 260 CISF personnel led by a Deputy Commandant, stationed for both inner and outer security coverage at the jail. For an extended period, the CRPF had been in charge of the jail’s security.

On October 13, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order directing the CISF to assume responsibility for security at Kot Bhalwal jail, replacing the CRPF. This marks the second prison in Jammu and Kashmir to be safeguarded by the CISF, a paramilitary force with a current strength of nearly 1.75 lakh personnel. On October 3, the CISF also assumed control of security at Srinagar jail from the CRPF following an MHA order issued to the force on September 22.

CISF Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Shrikant Kishore stated, “The CISF took over the security of Kot Bhalwal jail from the CRPF on October 20.” The CISF personnel have been tasked with providing round-the-clock security at both the inner and outer perimeters of Kot Bhalwal jail, one of the two high-security Central jails in Jammu and Kashmir. These jails in Srinagar and Kot Bhalwal are of great sensitivity, housing several dangerous terrorists and notorious criminals. Kot Bhalwal has over 900 prisoners, comprising 579 undertrials, 353 detainees, and 67 convicts, including 17 foreign nationals.

Jammu and Kashmir has thirteen jails of various types for housing prisoners, including two Central jails in Kot Bhalwal and Srinagar, eight district jails in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara, Leh, and three sub-jails in Hiranagar, Reasi, and Kishtwar. These facilities have a combined capacity of 2,775 prisoners.

With the addition of Kot Bhalwal Central jail, the CISF now safeguards a sensitive establishment considered on par with India’s most critical infrastructure facilities, such as nuclear installations, space centers, seaports, and power plants. The CISF’s security umbrella extends to 67 airports, the Delhi Metro, significant government buildings, and iconic heritage monuments. The CISF also operates a specialized VIP Security unit that provides round-the-clock security to important dignitaries. After the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, the CISF’s mandate was expanded to include providing security coverage to private corporate establishments.

Established in 1969 with only three battalions, the CISF has evolved into a premier, multi-skilled organization with a current strength of 1,71,635 personnel. The CISF provides security coverage to 358 establishments across the country and maintains its Fire Wing, which services 104 of the aforementioned establishments.

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