“Those coming to pick up drone-dropped weapons will be booked for treason”: DGP

“Those coming to pick up drone-dropped weapons will be booked for treason”: DGP

Asserting that the drone activities from across the border are a challenge, Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain yesterday said anyone coming to pick up the drone-dropped weapons, narcotics and money is the nation’s biggest enemy, and will be booked for treason and terrorism.

“If anyone, who comes to pick up the drone-dropped materials, is arrested then he will be degraded and disincentivized in accordance with the law. We consider anyone coming to pick up the weapons, ammunition, explosives, narcotics or money as the biggest enemy of the country and the accused will be booked for treason and terrorism of the highest level,” Swain told reporters in Samba after review of security situation and meeting family members of a martyr.

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“Security along the border areas is tight but attempts are being made from across the border to disrupt peace in the Union Territory. In the recent past, the tunnels were dug at different places to push terrorists and weapons which was a challenge. Drone is another challenge and the people have to play a role (in countering this challenge),” Swain said.

Referring to a meeting in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the DGP said it was conveyed at the highest authority level that there is a lot of population who can work as eyes and ears because conventional methodology like air defence systems do not pick up the movement of drones given its technology.

“The drone intrudes stealthy like a rat. We want a system in place at the police station and police post-level with a focus to respond as quickly as possible on hearing about it (drone movement), trace and its interdiction besides intelligence gathering to know exactly when it is air-borne,” he added.

The DGP said it is by a combination of intelligence, investigation, area domination and people’s cooperation to make their work so difficult that they will understand it is of no use.
Asked about the growing terrorist activities in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, Swain said that “sweeping statements cannot tell us about the real situation”

“Operational secrecy does not allow revealing the number of active terrorists. We do not talk about the numbers because it cannot tell anything about the situation. Even two persons can carry out a major incident,” he added.

The DGP said that attempts are being made from across the border to disrupt peace.
“We are a border State and that cannot be changed,” he added.
Swain said that “planning and strategy is needed to take on this challenge”.

“I have previously said that it is a challenge or a challenge is being thrown at us. Whether it will overwhelm us, the answer is no,” he added.

The DGP said the “people have a major role to play in countering such types of challenges”.
He further said the people are actively cooperating with the security agencies in the fight against terrorism, adding the security forces are getting dozens of inputs about the terrorists in Poonch-Rajouri belt.

“Even at places, the people have themselves caught hold of the terrorists,” Swain said, referring to arrest of dreaded terrorist Talib Hussain Shah of Rajouri and his Kashmiri associate Faisal Ahmad Dar of Pulwama who were overpowered by the villagers of Tukson Dhok in Reasi in July last year and later handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, in his meeting with jurisdictional officers in Samba, Swain asked them to identify the problems honestly which will lead to appropriate diagnosis and perfect solutions.

The meeting was attended by DIG JSK Shakti Pathak, SSP Samba Benam Tosh, all SDPOs and SHOs of Samba district.

The DGP said that a lot of good work is being done by the Samba Police against the narcotics but there is always a necessity of revisiting our action plans to make the campaign sustain for a longer period.

Directing for using modern day technology/gadgetry, the DGP emphasised upon officers to think differently for finding solutions to the problems adding that there is always scope for improvement and doing work in a better & professional manner. He stressed on identifying the problems honestly which will lead to appropriate diagnosis and perfect solutions. Stand tall and stay strong while fighting crime and criminals, the DGP impressed upon the officers.

Reviewing the area domination plans and placement of nakas in the district, the DGP stressed for utmost efforts to make the life of criminals very difficult. He directed for comprehensive investigation of cases and property attachment of criminals. He said that area domination and intelligence is co-related and stressed for giving thrust on both as per the circumstances and situations. He directed for increasing coordination within the ranks, other security agencies as also with people to defeat the ill design of the elements attempting to harm the society and our country.

During the meeting, it was observed that patterns of infiltration through tunnels and nallahs need to be analysed from time to time. He directed for preparation of executable plans to enhance policing and added that we should do what is doable within the given resources.

Meanwhile, Swain today visited the family of martyr Bodh Raj at Bakha Chak in Samba.
The DGP during his visit interacted with the immediate family members, maternal/ paternal uncles and some other extended family members of Bodh Raj.
The DGP was received by DC Samba, Abhishek Sharma, SSP Samba Benam Tosh, AIG Welfare, Abhishek Mahajan, AIG Tech/Comm, Manoj Kumar Pandith and other jurisdictional officers.

During the interaction, the family recalled as to how the DGP had helped them during his posting as SSP Kathua. The DGP and the family recalled the persona of the fallen hero Bodh Raj and said that he was calm and a mature person who had great respect for elders and love for his job and family. Recalling the quality of head and heart of the martyr, the DGP said that the braveheart was one of the important members of his team.

The family was thankful to DGP for visiting the family and said that it was heartening for them that the police family head visited them to know their welfare.

While interacting with the sons of the fallen hero, the DGP impressed upon them to work with dedication and honesty and added that Jammu and Kashmir Police as an institution is always at their beck and call. He impressed upon them to grab any opportunity which comes in their way and also advised them to explore possibilities of self employment and employment in the private sector as well.

Pertinent to mention here, that Bodh Raj, a resident of Bakha Chak Samba had attained martyrdom in a car bomb blast at Residency Road Srinagar on August 10, 2000.