MHA TELLS AGENCIES TO MAINTAIN MAXIMUM VIGIL IN KASHMIR

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the security agencies in Kashmir valley to maintain high vigil while performing their duties. The directions follow the broad-daylight killing of a young probationer sub-inspector of police, Arshid Mir by terrorists in the Khanyar area of downtown Srinagar. Sources in the MHA said that strict directions have been passed to all security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir, asking them “not to lower guard, maintain highest vigil while on duty and to ensure terrorists are strictly dealt with so that they don’t dare to attack security forces”.

“We have asked the security forces, including paramilitary CRPF men, to maintain extra alertness while performing duties,” the sources said, adding that the forces have been asked to go after the terrorists wherever there is information about the presence of terrorists. “There should be no leniency for terrorists. Despite the fact that in the last one and half years Covid-19 has thrown up a major challenge, we have directed security forces to eliminate militants whenever there is an input,” the official maintained.

Another official in the MHA said that the security agencies have already been asked to maintain close watch in markets, busy places and outside religious places in Kashmir so that “terrorists who are coming to attack are neutralized before they target forces”. Meanwhile, sources said that the MHA and Defence Ministry have already asked the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to remain alert along the Line of Control and keep a close eye on “infiltrates”.

“Troops have been asked to maintain the highest possible vigilance along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Baramulla, Kupwara and other districts of the Union Territory,” sources said. It is to mention here that on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony, the DGP while speaking to the media had said that SI Arshid Ahmad was a brave and young officer who was on the threshold of the service and was deployed for medical check-up of an accused to a hospital and on his return was attacked. Considering the killing of Arshid Ahmad a tragic loss for JK police, the DGP extended his condolences to the bereaved family. Dilbag had said that “every life lost is cause of concern for them and added that militants involved in the attack have been identified and a follow up operation has been launched adding that perpetrators of the criminal act would be brought to justice soon”.