New Delhi, February 21

Personnel of the paramilitary forces deployed in the Kashmir valley for counter-terror operations have now been entitled to take commercial flights to either join duty or go on leave, in the wake of the killing of 40 jawans in a deadly attack on their convoy in Pulwama.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said it “has approved the entitlement of air travel on Delhi-Srinagar, Srinagar-Delhi, Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Jammu sectors to all personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)”.

This includes, the order said, their journey for joining duty, transfer, tour or going on leave. The decision is expected to benefit personnel in the ranks of constable, head constable and assistant sub-inspector who were otherwise not eligible. Till now, officers in the rank of inspectors and above were given this air travel facility.

Officials said the facility is in addition to the existing air courier services for CAPFs where an entire aircraft is booked. The decision has been taken to help jawans cut down on travel time. — TNS/PTI