Amid the spike in terror attacks, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Saturday (15 June 2024) said that “a war had been imposed on us, but every terrorist in J&K will be killed”. After a visit to the border village of Saida Sukhal in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, where two terrorists were killed and a CRPF jawan made the supreme sacrifice in a protracted encounter on Tuesday and Wednesday, Swain said, “A challenge in the form of terrorism is being thrown at us by Pakistan, which has been rattled by the drastic improvement in Kashmir (post revocation of Article 370 in August 2019).”
DGP warns those supporting terrorists of ‘exemplary punishment’
In the aftermath of one ambush and three terror attacks that occurred in different areas of Jammu division in four days, DGP RR Swain on Thursday said Pakistan was trying to disturb the atmosphere of J&K and the security forces would give a befitting reply to terrorists.
The DGP also visited Katra, which is the base camp of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in the Reasi district, which witnessed a terror attack on a pilgrim bus on Sunday. The DGP said the agents of the enemy would soon repent their decision to support terrorism. The police chief also chaired a high-level meeting to review security in the district, where terrorists had attacked a bus on Sunday evening, killing nine and injuring 41.
“When terror handlers fail to recruit locals in Kashmir and Jammu, the intent of the enemy is to recruit locals across the LoC and push them inside our territory to disrupt peace and kill people. Police and security agencies are mapping their resources to counter foreign terrorism in the Jammu region, and we will give them a befitting reply,” he said.
“When you have an enemy ready to kill people and foment trouble, we also have to be ready to counter and bear some losses as well.” He warned the enemy agents who sell their conscience for some bucks and narcotics to support terrorists. “Those supporting terrorists will repent,” the DGP said, adding, “Such elements are being identified, and they will be taken to task.”
On Saturday, following four consecutive terror incidents in the province of Jammu, the DGP, R R Swain, issued a warning to the people, cautioning them against harbouring and assisting the terrorists. Upon visiting the Hiranagar area of Kathua tehsil, where two newly infiltrated terrorists were eliminated three days ago, the DGP issued a warning: “I want to make it clear that, sooner or later, terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir will be eliminated, but those involved in sheltering or providing support to these mercenaries would face exemplary punishment”.
The DGP made this declaration in the wake of rumours that some residents are providing shelter to terrorists connected to the assaults in Reasi, Doda, and Hiranagar. DGP, along with senior police officers, visited the Saida Sohail village in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district, where two terrorists were eliminated in a fifteen-hour-long encounter.
DGP engages with Hindu devotees, assures support
On Friday, the DGP paid obeisance at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani during the annual mela, praying for everlasting peace, brotherhood, and harmony in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Accompanied by jurisdictional police officers, including IGP Kashmir V K Birdi and DIG CKR Rajiv Omprakash Pande, the DGP offered prayers at the sacred shrine, seeking blessings for the welfare and prosperity of the people, families of martyrs, police personnel, and security forces.
The DGP also interacted with the Hindu devotees and pilgrims gathered at the mela. He listened to their concerns and assured them of the unwavering support of the J&K Police. “Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela symbolises our rich cultural heritage and communal harmony. It is a reminder that our diverse communities have always co-existed in peace and harmony, and we must strive to strengthen this bond,” the DGP said.
DGP says Jammu is the new base of terrorists
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a review meeting at Kathua district of Jammu region, DGP Swain, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that when the shops of people abetting terror in Kashmir were closed and when they found no supporter in the Valley, they decided to make Jammu as their fresh base. “This effort was made between 1995 and 2005 in the Jammu region, but we wiped out terror from the entire region. A similar effort is being made again. This (security) challenge is coming from across,” he said.
The DGP said, “We must understand that a war has been imposed on us. In the war tactics, we will try to minimize our damage. Those supporting terror in the Jammu region will face an exemplary punishment so that nobody ever dares to provide any support to terrorists again.” He said police and the security forces would kill the terrorists operating in Jammu one by one. He, however, didn’t disclose the number of foreign terrorists operating in the region or the number of those who have recently infiltrated.
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also chaired a security review meeting in New Delhi to take stock of the security situation in Jammu. He directed the security top brass to use full anti-terror capabilities to curb terrorism in Jammu. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also chaired a security review meeting on J&K on Sunday, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was also present. According to sources, the prevailing security situation in Jammu and the upcoming Amarnath Yatra was on the agenda.
(Featured image courtesy: PTI)
