The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned more than ₹4.54 crore for specialised winter clothing and equipment for around 600 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed at high-altitude Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The funding is aimed at strengthening the operational preparedness and welfare of CRPF personnel serving in remote mountainous areas, where extreme cold, snowfall and difficult terrain can significantly affect sustained operations. The personnel deployed at these forward locations require specialised equipment to remain operational during prolonged winter deployments.
The sanctioned funds will support the procurement of essential cold-weather and survival equipment, including specialised clothing, snow boots, gaiters, sleeping bags, gloves, protective goggles, rucksacks, tents, blankets, insulating mats, thermal insoles and rescue bags. The procurement will also include extreme cold-weather clothing developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Himsuraksha brand.
The establishment of Temporary Operating Bases in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir has enabled security forces to maintain a stronger presence in remote and strategically important areas. These locations can present significant logistical and environmental challenges, particularly during the winter months when movement becomes more difficult and temperatures can fall sharply.
The additional allocation is therefore intended to ensure that CRPF personnel have adequate protective clothing and equipment to carry out patrols, surveillance and counter-terrorism duties without being excessively affected by severe weather conditions. According to reports, the Home Ministry approved the CRPF’s proposal in July, providing dedicated funding for winter equipment requirements at these bases.
The move also reflects the increasing focus on improving the ability of security personnel to operate in challenging high-altitude environments. Alongside conventional operational equipment, appropriate cold-weather clothing, insulated sleeping systems and other survival gear are essential for maintaining troop effectiveness during extended deployments.
The inclusion of indigenous DRDO-developed Himsuraksha extreme cold-weather clothing further highlights India’s efforts to equip its security forces with locally developed solutions suited to demanding climatic conditions.
With winter approaching, the sanctioned funding is expected to help ensure that CRPF personnel stationed at high-altitude posts in Jammu and Kashmir remain adequately equipped to sustain operations and maintain security in some of the region’s most challenging terrain.