India Reduces Troops in Kashmir

The pullout, announced by Singh, is part of India’s plan to reduce the number of troops fighting the 16-year-old rebellion by Muslim separatists.

A senior army officer said the troops would be "de-inducted" from various parts of Indian-administered Kashmir including Anantnag, its second largest town, 55km south of Srinagar.

Lieutenant General Nirbhay Sharma, commander of army’s 15 Corps, told a news conference late on Tuesday that operational details were still being finalised.

"I can’t tell you how many troops are being de-inducted," he said.

"The de-induction of the first batch of troops is taking place keeping in view the operational requirement."

He said the military situation in the region had improved and that the infiltration of separatist fighters from across the Line of Control in his area of operation had been reduced in the recent months.