Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir’s security situation is much better than before, DGP Dilbag Singh said militants are being “neutralised” within the shortest possible time of committing an act of terror. However, terror groups and their handlers in Pakistan are hurt by the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir, which is evident from the increased attempts to smuggle weapons from across the border and replace local stooges with Pakistani terrorists said.
“The security situation is far better than before, and counter-insurgency operations are being carried out daily. However, there is no doubt that terror elements are doing their actions, but those involved in such attacks are being identified and neutralised soon,” the director-general of police (DGP) told reporters at Palli village in Samba district.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and the police chief visited Palli panchayat, the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on National Panchayat Day on April 24, to oversee the arrangements.
Asked about the recent spurt in terror attacks, including the latest killing of a Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district and owning of the attack by two terror groups, he said they are all basically Lashar-e-Taiba (LeT) affiliates who are indulging in such activities on the directions from their handlers across the border.“It is like mushroom growth in the rainy season. Such groups have no existence on the ground, and four groups claim one action. So we are alive to the situation, and those involved are being identified, and we are hopefully neutralising them soon,” he said.
The DGP said police had got “solid clues” with regard to Monday’s attack on RPF personnel, and those involved in the incident will be brought to justice soon.
He referred to the recent killing of two Pakistani terrorists involved in an attack on a CRPF party in Srinagar and said, “When local stooges fail, they are replaced by Pakistani terrorists who are given fake Aadaar cards (to move freely). Both the terrorists were killed within seven days after they attacked the CRPF personnel in the city.” Singh said the terrorists are assigning the job of attacking a soft target to recruits.
“The recruit is allowed to join only after he acts to ensure that he does not come out of their net,” Singh said. He said police would give a befitting reply to any “cowardly act” being carried out by the terrorists. Asked whether the terrorists want to instil fear ahead of the Amarnath yatra, which is scheduled to begin on June 30, Singh said, “All necessary preparations are being made for the annual pilgrimage for its success.” “As I said, the situation is getting better with each passing day, much to the dislike of the terror groups and their handlers who do not want peace. Therefore, we are carrying out counter-terrorism operations to neutralise all such groups. They are being identified and neutralised within the shortest possible time,” he said. On the recovery of a consignment of arms and ammunition from the Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Tuesday morning, the DGP said Pakistan is trying to smuggle more weapons, but the security forces foiled several such attempts both in Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
“They are sending every type of weapons like AK, pistols and grenades. Pistol-bound terrorists mostly carry out attacks in the city, and our effort is to bust all terror modules and seize the smuggled weapons,” he said.
About a bomb hoax call leading to the search of a Delhi-bound flight at Srinagar airport on Monday, Singh said the investigation is on to know the motive and the purpose behind the call.
“The committee looking after Airport security investigated the matter yesterday. It was a non-specific call, but the security procedure was followed at the airport,” he said.
He added that the location from where the call was made had been identified, and further investigation is on.
Amish Mahajan
