Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 13: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was today reported to have directed for strengthening entire security apparatus in the hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of two consecutive fidayeen attacks in Jammu and Srinagar and another thwarted fidayeen attempt at Domana as he held second high level review of security situation in the State in as many days in the Union capital.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir and heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) were present at the meeting that was chaired by Rajnath and lasted more than an hour in which situation prevailing in the State in the wake of twin terror attacks and the borders was discussed threadbare.
Sources told the Excelsior that the Central Government has offered deployment of National Security Guards (NSGs) in some of the security camps, located in the sensitive areas of the State, which could become soft targets for the militants.
Sources said Rajnath has directed for enhanced surveillance along nakas, which were close to security installations to ensure that the militants are trapped before they could strike or enter the camps to cause casualties. Alert CRPF Sentry at Karan Nagar, Srinagar had reacted immediately yesterday and thwarted attack on the camp after which the militants intruded into a building and were killed today. Similarly, Army thwarted a suspected fidayeen attack at their camp in Domana today. It was also pointed out that two militants died in a road accident in Kashmir yesterday as they were over speeding to escape a naka.
However, according to sources, the MHA has taken note of the fact that four militants along with arms, ammunition and explosives managed to reach Sunjuwan Military Station, located very close to Jammu City and attacked the Military Station, causing seven casualties-six Army personnel and a civilian.
“It was in view of this that the MHA has stressed upon all Central Armed Police Forces and police to ensure very strict surveillance on the nakas especially those located close to security installations to trap the fidayeens and other militants well before they could strike at the intended target,” sources said, adding that a direction has gone to all CAPFs to keep on reviewing security system of vital installations as per changing security scenario and ensure that Sentries on duty react like Karan Nagar, Srinagar and Domana in Jammu to thwart fidayeen attacks.
According to sources, the MHA meeting deliberated upon fortification of all security installations to ensure that the militants don’t manage to scale walls or cut fencing to enter inside the camp by avoiding the main gates, where alert Sentries are deployed to thwart entry of the terrorists, as has happened in attack on Sunjuwan Military Station.
Finding Sentries always alert at Sunjuwan, the militants had entered the camp from an isolated `Nullah’ by scaling wall and cutting fence, where they managed to inflict seven casualties including six Army personnel and a civilian before being eliminated by the troops.
Sources said the Home Ministry has directed all CAPFs to further enhance security of not only the vital installations but all other camps and rely on “credible Intelligence inputs” to go after the militants, before they could target the camps, civilians, crowded places or any other intended target.
Sources said the Home Minister stressed the need for immediate action to check infiltration attempts from across the border.
Singh was briefed about the steps taken for strengthening the perimeter security of camps and bases of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.
The Home Minister was informed that the highest level of security had been put in place in the entire State and steps were being taken to foil attempts by terrorists to attack security forces.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited Jammu and reviewed the situation in the wake of terror attack on Sunjuwan Military Station. She had voiced concern over local support as well as civilian constructions that have come up close to Military installations and warned that Pakistan will have to pay for the misadventure.
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