Jammu, Dec 15: Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over the loss of lives in Sirnoo area of Pulwama today while reviewing law and order situation with senior officers of the State and of Central police forces at Raj Bhavan this evening, an official press release informed.
It said Governor reviewed the latest security scenario in Kashmir including details of the counter-infiltration and counter-militancy operations undertaken recently.
He directed the government forces to minimize the collateral damage during anti-militancy operations, the press release informed, adding that he has recommended “people-friendly measures” during such operations, asking the government forces and the administration to address the “post-operations complications”.
After reviewing the prevailing security situation and arising challenges, Governor emphasized the crucial importance of maintaining sustained close watch on the ground situation, and appreciated the sustained real time coordination and synergy between the armed forces and the civil administration.
“Pained by the unnecessary and avoidable loss of civilian lives in operation,” Governor appealed to the people to keep a distance from areas where anti-militancy operations are in progress. He appealed to them not to go near such areas during or immediately after such operations, the press release said.
It said Governor directed government forces to give time for people to evacuate from an area during an anti-militancy operation as per the laid down SOP.
Governor also directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to inquire the Sirnoo Pulwama incident and suggest “precautions to minimise civilian casualties in anti-militancy operations”.
The meeting was attended by K Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor; B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Dilbagh Singh, Director General of Police; Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; R.K. Goyal, Principal Secretary Home; SDS Jamwal, IGP Jammu and officers of State and Central police forces; Baseer Khan, Div. Commissioner Kashmir; Muneer Khan, ADGP, Law and Order; S.P. Pani, IGP, Kashmir and Ravideep Singh Sahi, IG CRPF participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar has also expressed profound grief and deep regret over the loss of civilian lives near encounter site in Sirnoo area of district Pulwama.
Kumar while extending heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their dear ones in today’s tragic incident, said that “he is in touch with the security forces and the civil society to know about the circumstances which led to these unfortunate killings,” an official press release said.
