Srinagar: Top security officials operating in Jammu and Kashmir held a meeting on Friday (January 21) to coordinate and strategize security in the Union Territory.
A core group of top officials of civil administration, intelligence agencies and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir today held a meeting at Badami Bagh Cantonment to review the security situation in Kashmir. The meeting was co-chaired by Lt Gen DP Pandey, General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps and Shri Dilbagh Singh, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir.
The core group reviewed the intelligence inputs and security parameters for 2021. Reduction in terrorist infiltration, reduction in terrorist incidents, reduction in terrorist recruitment, increase in HUMINT based operations, reduction in collateral damage, no civilian casualties in law and order situation in the year 2021. Decrease in SF casualties, increase in arrests of terrorists and bookings of OGWs; All point to the effective conduct of joint operations and activities by intelligence and security agencies. There has been an increase in the neutralization of Pakistani terrorists in the last few weeks. The efforts of frontline personnel and workers of all agencies were appreciated by all present.
The core group discussed new strategies of terrorist organizations and their handlers, including the use of hybrid terrorists and targeting soft targets. The new names of 15 terrorists killed in 2021 were not on the radar of security forces.
The establishment of the SIA and the increased bookings by the NIA are showing the impact of focused intelligence and investigation efforts. These efforts have been effective in targeting drug, hawala and OGW networks. Legal action is being increased against those who deliberately harbor terrorists as the ports are directly involved in terrorist activities.
Officials said the ceasefire has improved the security situation along the border, however, intelligence inputs from terrorist launch pads and terrorist training activities in Pakistan indicate the need to remain vigilant along the Line of Control.
Late snowfall along the Line of Control has kept the infiltration routes open for a long time, though effective domination has ensured a reduction in total infiltration, including south of the Pir Panjal. Vigilance continues along the Line of Control against infiltration of men, drugs and weapons.
The officials shared the challenge of disseminating the nexus through the internet and social media. “Unfortunately, these efforts include propaganda to legitimize the killing of Kashmiri civilians by terrorists. The use of social media to spread propaganda is widespread and needs to be actively countered by a joint effort. Fake news Coordinating efforts in uncovering, booking of radicals trying to fuel unrest and active exchange of information by state agencies are being advanced,” a defense spokesman said.
The DGP and the Corps Commander appreciated the officers present on the improved security indicators. He appreciated that after the abrogation of Article 370, certain benchmarks were set, which have been successfully achieved for the restoration of peace and prosperity in the region.
The DGP said that the reduction in local terrorist recruitment is a criterion on which all should continue to pay attention. A special mention was made on the measures taken to minimize collateral damage in operations despite the risk to its troops. He recommended sustained efforts to give local militants a chance to surrender to give them a second chance at a successful life.
The Corps Commander called upon all to consider 2022 as a transformative year where the common man used to have zero civilian casualties in 2021, he should see 2022 as the year when things went well for a long time. He cautioned the tendency of terrorists to use urban areas with dense built-up area for operations as they provide more avenues to hide or escape and place a high obligation on the security forces to exercise restraint to avoid collateral damage . He expressed satisfaction over the reduced SF casualties in 2021 by better intelligence-based operations and better tactical drills.
It was decided to continue efforts with civil society to counter separatist propaganda and break the cycle of violence for lasting peace in Kashmir.
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