NEW DELHI: The Jammu division of J&K - which witnessed back-to-back
terror attacks
in its Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts last week - is set to get a big boost in number of
security forces
who will dominate the mountain tops to tackle fresh infiltration bids by terrorists from Pakistan. The security forces will also comb the forested and undulating terrain for terrorists holed up there with an intent to create unrest and communal flare-up among the region's mixed Hindu-Muslim population.
At a review meeting chaired by him here on Sunday, home minister
Amit Shah
directed security agencies to use "innovative means" and replicate the successes achieved in Kashmir region over the past few years - as reflected in the sharp decline in terrorist attacks and law-and-order-related incidents in the traditional Valley hotbeds, record flow of tourists and high voter turnouts in recent Lok Sabha polls - by rolling out an area domination plan and zero-terror plan in the Jammu division that seems to be the new target of
Pakistan-based terror outfits
.
Shah, in a separate meeting, reviewed security and other arrangements for Amarnath Yatra beginning June 29. Among measures stressed by him to make the yatra secure and hassle-free for devotees were tracking their movement and that of yatra vehicles through RFID tags, deployment of sufficient security personnel, proper sanitisation of routes, fortification of camps and disaster preparedness.
Both meetings were attended by NSA Ajit Doval, J&K LG Manoj Sinha and officials from MHA, J&K, Army, paramilitary forces & intel agencies.
Pointing to Modi govt's resolve to uproot terrorism in all its forms through "innovative means and seamless coordination among various security agencies", Amit Shah said the fight against terrorism in J&K was in a decisive phase. He emphasised on seamless coordination among security agencies, identifying vulnerable areas and addressing the security concerns of such areas. Reiterating govt's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and commitment to crack down on terrorists through "innovative means", he directed all security agencies to work in a mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner.
Sources told TOI that the revised counter-terror strategies for Jammu region shall include returning to the force deployment pattern of the 1990s, with more personnel guarding the mountain tops, resuming and intensifying counter-operations sector-wise and strengthening village defence committees in all districts in Jammu by refining their training and equipping them better to bust future
terror strikes
.
"The deployment levels of J&K police, central paramilitary forces as well as Army troops will be considerably enhanced in the Pir Panjal region," a senior officer said.
With higher force deployment expected to boost the intelligence flow and reduce response time to alerts on the presence or movement of terrorists in Jammu region - which unlike the flat-floor Valley has a difficult terrain with limited road and communication connectivity - counter-operations will be intensified in the days to come. Any local support to terrorists in Jammu division, like Kashmir, will invite serious consequences.
Good flow of intelligence followed by quick response by counter-terror forces helped to curb terrorist activities in the Valley, an officer said and added that the strategy will now be replicated in Jammu.
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