Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
The Union Government is planning to expand the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to five additional prisons across Jammu and Kashmir, significantly strengthening the security architecture of correctional facilities in the Union Territory.
Official sources said the proposed expansion includes the upcoming high-security prison at Mahanpur in Kathua district and district jails in Jammu, Anantnag, Kupwara and Baramulla. Once implemented, the move will increase the number of CISF-protected prisons in Jammu and Kashmir from two to seven.
The CISF has been providing security at Srinagar Central Jail and Kot Bhalwal Central Jail in Jammu since October 2023. Encouraged by the positive outcomes of the deployment, authorities have decided to extend the force’s role to other strategically important prisons across the region.
According to officials, the expansion is part of a broader strategy aimed at preventing the smuggling of narcotics, mobile phones, communication devices and other prohibited items into prisons. The CISF has already introduced several advanced security measures in the jails under its protection, including non-linear junction detectors for identifying concealed electronic devices, sophisticated X-ray baggage scanners, hand-held metal detectors and dedicated Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) for round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response.
To further strengthen security, bulletproof mobile patrol vehicles have been deployed for enhanced perimeter monitoring and emergency response. Authorities are also integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled CCTV systems, real-time video analytics and centralised command-and-control mechanisms to improve prison surveillance and threat detection.
Sources said CISF personnel are undergoing specialised training in behavioural assessment, inmate profiling and anti-sabotage operations to effectively address emerging security challenges within correctional institutions.
The decision assumes greater significance as several prisons in Jammu and Kashmir house high-risk inmates, including individuals facing terror-related charges. The Mahanpur prison in Kathua, currently under development, is expected to become the Union Territory’s first dedicated high-security jail and will accommodate some of the most sensitive and dangerous inmates.
Security agencies have also been conducting regular audits, inspections and mock drills in prisons across the region to assess vulnerabilities and strengthen preparedness against threats such as jailbreaks, radicalisation and organised criminal activities.
Officials believe the expansion of CISF deployment will substantially enhance prison management, improve vigilance and create a more robust security framework for correctional facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
