The Indian Army's 980,000 troops are on the vigil round the clock. In addition, it has 800,000 reserves, who are on standby and can be called up during an emergency.

In anti-terrorist operations, the Central Reserve Police Force plays an equally important role. Established under the Central Reserve Police Force Act 1949, the paramilitary unit includes some 165,000 personnel organised into 70 battalions.

A BSF trooper is all eyes atop an armoured vehicle in Srinagar on May 8, 2003 on the eve of the arrival of American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.

Photograph: Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty Images