Forces on high alert, security stepped up in Jammu region

AVINAV VERMA. Updated: 9/15/2019 12:38:57 PM Front Page

‘Lakhanpur, Kishtwar incidents a concern’

JAMMU: Following the recent spurt in the militant activities across the State especially in Jammu region, the security forces have strengthened the security grid in all three regions, which is already reeling under threats from Pakistan at Line of Control following union government’s decision to abrogate its special status and bifurcate it in two Union Territories (UTs).

While LoC has remained unprecedentedly hot since August 5, the militant outfits have increased their efforts of disturbing the peace in plains and hills of Jammu region as well, as could be assessed by arrest of three JeM militants along with a large cache of arms in Lakhanpur on Thursday, and the snatching of a weapon of a PSO of a PDP leader in Kishtwar on Friday.

Although attempts by militant outfits to trouble the prevailing peace in State have been foiled by security forces, which is on alert since last 41 days, these two incidents have prompted the agencies concerned to raise the security grid and increase the vigil.

“The security forces are already on alert to maintain law and order in the state. It is only the alertness of security forces due to which we successfully thwarted the nefarious designs of militant outfits to breach the peace of the state,” a top security cop told The News Now, requesting not to be named.

On September 12, Police had arrested three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists and recovered six AK-47 rifles from a truck they were driving in district Kathua near Lakhanpur- the entry point of Jammu and Kashmir. A day after, three militants held hostage the entire family of PDP district president Sheikh Nassir Hussain at Gourian in Kishtwar town and fled with Insas rifle of his Personal Security Officer (PSO) using car of Nassir’s brother, Dr Nazir Ahmed.

Additional caution is being taken, a police officer informed this scribe.

“Extra barricades have been established, which is manned by Jammu and Kashmir Police alongwith parliamentary forces. They are doing patrolling in every locality of Kashmir and in Jammu city to thwart untoward incidents. Every vehicle is being checked properly. Security forces are ready to tackle any condition,” he added.

“Back to back to incidents is a concern, we are investigating the matter and security forces have been put on high alert in district Kishtwar. They will be traced at the earliest,” he added.
Before abrogation of article 370 and 35A, the centre government had deployed approximately 46,000 troops in the state to maintain law and order.
Apart from top officials of Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has been personally monitoring the developments in Jammu and Kashmir.


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