Layered security across Jammu province

Jammu, Jan 25: Amid layered security across the province, J&K’s winter-capital city Jammu turned into a fortress on the eve of 77th Republic Day, in ready-mode for the spectacular main celebration of the national day in the Union Territory at M A Stadium on Monday.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will preside over the main Republic Day function in Jammu to be held at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu and take the ceremonial salute. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will also grace the event.

The UT government has already directed all the officers and officials of the government and Public Sector Undertakings, stationed at Jammu, to attend the function as a part of their official duty.

Unprecedented security arrangements in and around the main venue (M A Stadium), fully barricaded for effective crowd management, have been made with the heavy presence of Police and CRPF personnel.

As per the past practice, surveillance drones, spotters, and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been deployed at key locations, while checkpoints across the city have been set up to monitor movement. Security forces are conducting thorough checks and patrolling areas around the venue and other sensitive installations to address any potential threats.

Heightened vigil is being maintained across the Jammu region in perfect synergy with the Army, BSF and other security agencies along the International Border, Line of Control and hinterland areas.

The Police officers have been asked to strictly implement operation third eye in their respective jurisdiction in coordination with other stake-holders for the foolproof security in their area of responsibility.

All across the province, including Jammu district, the security forces are conducting search and verification drives. In several hilly and treacherous areas, counter terrorist operations are also underway.

As a part of a bolstered security grid ahead of the Republic Day, the Police and the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) on Sunday intensified patrolling along the International Border and the Line of Control in Pargwal and Malla Bharore areas.

Police said that the joint patrolling along with VDGs of Police Post Pargwal was conducted near the International Border (IB) at Malabela to enhance vigilance and prevent any untoward incident, in pursuance of the directions issued by SP Rural Jammu, Brijesh Sharma, during recent border security review meetings with Village Defence Guards (VDGs), and in view of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations.

Similarly, under the supervision of the in-charge Border Police Post (BPP) Malla Bharore, joint patrolling along with VDGs was carried out in the Malla Bharore area.

“These proactive measures aim to reinforce border security, enhance coordination with VDGs, and ensure maximum alertness ahead of Republic Day,” Police said.

Meanwhile, the intensive Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) continued in Billawar of Kathua district and Chhatru in Kishtwar district.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jammu-Samba-Kathua range Shiv Kumar Sharma on January 24 visited the areas witnessing search operation following the inputs about the suspicious movement in Kathua district, where the security forces killed a dreaded Jaish terrorist in Billawar area on January 23.

He said that the entire area was thoroughly searched to ensure the safety and security of people ahead of January 26.

“We are receiving many inputs that the neighbouring adversary country is making all out efforts to disrupt our national function. Therefore, we are taking all such inputs very seriously. Our teams on the ground are very strong and are fully prepared to take on all such challenges. SOG, CRPF, Police teams are working with perfect synergy to ensure the safety of our citizens,” DIG JSK range said.

With regard to the January 23 encounter, he described the killing of a terrorist as “a big success for the Police in Kathua.”

“The most important thing is that the people in the Billawar area have become very alert. They are giving timely inputs. This operation was launched after getting timely input so the people of Billawar deserve all congratulations for this success. Immediately after getting input about the presence of a terrorist in a house, the joint teams of SOG, Army, Police and CRPF cordoned it and the terrorist identified as Usman of Jaish was neutralised,” he informed.

He stated that the Jaish group was active in the area for some time.

“The Pak sponsored Jaish group is involved in many activities in Jammu-Samba-Kathua area, like drone activities or infiltration incidents. The coordination among all our forces to foil such attempts of the enemy nation is excellent and we all are working on a single platform to neutralise subversive activities. We are capable of conducting any operation whenever we get an input vis-à-vis the presence of a terrorist. Our all teams are always in ready-mode,” he informed.