India to pull 10,000 troops from held Kashmir

NEW DELHI: India plans to withdraw 10,000 paramilitary troops from held Kashmir in 2011 and renew efforts to hold talks in the violence-hit Himalayan region, a top government official said Sunday.

"I think this year we can easily take out 10 battalions (10,000 personnel), if not more," Indian Home Secretary Gopal Pillai told the state news agency.

"Irrespective of the situation, I can take out 10 battalions and it would not have any impact."

There are currently 70,000 paramilitary troops in Indian held Kashmir plus 100,000-150,000 army soldiers.

Many state politicians in Kashmir believe their huge presence has fuelled recent deadly violence.

"There are more than adequate forces in Kashmir and it can do with less central forces," Pillai, the home ministry's top civil servant, said.

"You have to start talking to other people and get fresh ideas so I think we have to reach out to the people of Kashmir."