Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 3: Following series of attacks on police personnel, snatching of their rifles and looting of banks, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is said to have directed Jammu and Kashmir Police and para-military forces operating in the Valley to be “pro-active” and hit the militants before giving them a chance to strike.
The directions were given at a high level meeting on Kashmir situation convened this morning by Rajnath at North Block, which was attended by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Director Intelligence Bureau (IB) Rajiv Jain, RAW chief Anil Dhasmana and other top security officials.
Sources told the Excelsior that the high-level security review meeting discussed spurt in the militant activities especially the killing of five police personnel and two Bank guards at Kulgam, about four incidents of bank looting and snatching of weapons including Insas and AK rifles from the constables.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, a Lok Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir, briefed Rajnath Singh on security situation prevailing in the Kashmir valley and steps required to restore peace and normalcy. He presented a roadmap on J&K to the Union Home Minister.
Sources said a message has been sent to para-military forces operating in the Valley including Jammu and Kashmir Police to become “pro-active” and strike at the militants before they hit the cops as has been witnessed during attacks on police personnel in the past few days.
“It’s time to go after the militants and not to wait to get killed or allow militants to loot their weapons and cash,” sources quoted the latest directive from the Home Ministry. They said para-military CRPF has also been directed to show no leniency towards the militants. However, at the same time, there has been a word of caution that maximum restraint be exercised while dealing with the civilian protesters.
Asserting that all aspects of internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley came up for review during the security meeting, sources pointed out that all top officials of para-military forces and Intelligence agencies briefed the Union Home Minister on ground situation in the Valley, where situation during past three to four days has shown signs of further deterioration especially in the wake of seven killings (five police personnel and two bank guards) in Kulgam.
“The para-military forces have been asked to further strengthen their position while operating in vulnerable areas like South Kashmir, where presence of the militants had increased after some new local recruitments,” sources said describing as “dangerous trend” the snatching of weapons and ammunition from the cops as security agencies believed that the weaponry could be used by new recruits in stepping up terror attacks across the Valley.
During past 10 days especially after the meeting of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister, Rajnath Singh has been regularly reviewing security situation in the Kashmir valley, steps taken and being taken by security agencies to control unrest and restore peace and normalcy.
According to sources, para-military and Intelligence agencies have shared certain very vital inputs with the Union Home Minister on Kashmir situation, which were being pursued and discussed at the high level before initiating any kind of further action on them.
Sources pointed out that the Union Home Minister has directed the officials of his Ministry and senior officers of para-military force and Intelligence agencies to stay in touch with Jammu and Kashmir Government and administration especially Jammu and Kashmir Police for any kind of assistance required by them.
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