Joint mechanism to eliminate cop, civilians’ killers
*Drone activities remain cause of concern
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 21: The Unified Headquarters today reviewed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with particular reference to recent killings of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) personnel, minorities, non-locals and intensification of operations against the militants despite extreme cold conditions in the Valley amidst reports that all security and Intelligence agencies dealing with the militancy will continue to evolve joint mechanism to ensure that the militants are unable to carry out more such attacks and they are neutralized well before they succeed in their designs.
Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Unified Headquarters dwelt at overall security situation in the Union Territory in its four-hour long meeting held at the Jammu Convention Centre and attended by top Army Commanders and officers of civil and police administration, security and Intelligence agencies.
Sinha is reported to have directed security agencies to ensure that all militants involved in the killings of police personnel and civilians are taken to task so that they don’t manage to strike again. He reportedly said that security forces must take all possible steps to finish the terrorism and ensure that there is no fresh infiltration of the militants either from the Line of Control (LoC) or from the International Border (IB).
Top brass of multiple agencies engaged in anti-militancy operations in Kashmir and plugging infiltration on the LoC as well as International Border gave their detailed perception of situation in the Union Territory, official sources told the Excelsior.
There was no Government statement on the Unified Headquarters meeting.
“The Unified Headquarters was concerned about recent killings of police personnel in militant attacks and prior to that civilians from minorities and non-locals in Kashmir. It, however, noted that almost all militants involved in the killings of minorities and non-locals have been successfully eliminated by security forces,” sources said. Among the locals, a School Principal, a teacher and prominent businessman Makhan Lal Bindroo were killed by the militants.
Sources said the joint mechanism will be developed in such a way that multiple security and Intelligence agencies are able to thwart targeted attacks on police vehicles etc besides the moving security personnel are adequately equipped to counter the attacks instantly and eliminate the militants. Even if the militants managed to escape, they are neutralized immediately to send strong message, they added.
“Certain reports were reportedly shared about infiltration and infiltration attempts by the militants along the LoC in the Kashmir valley as well as twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch,” sources pointed out. Some Pakistani militants have also reportedly managed to infiltrate and it was stressed that they should be killed immediately before they could strike at their targets.
Security agencies are also reported to have projected their issues.
“Drone activities too remained a major cause of concern. Though no major drone activities have been spotted in Jammu region except at Hiranagar sector falling along the International Border, there was need to maintain strict vigilance on drones as they could drop weaponry and narcotics,” sources pointed out.
Worthwhile to mention here that security forces have foiled several attempts by the militants facilitated by Pakistan army and Rangers to airdrop weapons and ammunition besides narcotics using drones along the International Border in Jammu sector and neighbouring Punjab. Several consignments dropped at the border have also been seized by Police and security forces. Despite seizures, there has, however, been no let up in drone activities which was evident from sightings of flying machines at Hiranagar in Kathua district and Punjab during past fortnight.
Asserting that anti-militancy operations during harsh winter that has already set-in across the Kashmir valley become tough, the Unified Headquarters, however, decided that there will be no let up in the operations and rather they will be intensified to kill the militants who have come down to plains from hilly areas in view of snowfall.
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