Guv reviews security; stresses adherence to SOPs to avoid civilian casualties
Jammu, Dec 18: In a meeting with senior officers of the State Police, Army, Central police forces and Central Intelligence agencies, Governor Satya Pal Malik undertook a detailed review of various security-related issues at the Headquarters of Army’s Northern Command in Udhampur.
Governor reviewed the latest security scenario in J&K including details of the counter-infiltration and counter-insurgency operations undertaken recently, an official press release informed.
It said he reiterated the vital importance of the laid down Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) “being adhered to by Army and all security forces” to avoid incidents of civilian casualties and collateral damages.
Governor also re-emphasized the crucial importance of sustained collaborative action between the armed forces and the State Police with the civil administration in dealing with difficult situations particularly to ensure against the loss of civilian lives.
Governor stressed the need of a heightened vigil and ensuring the safety of protected persons and the security of all-important establishments and installations. He lauded the role played by the government forces in the incident-free conduct of polls to the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats.
Pertinently, today’s was the second security review by the Governor following the killing of seven civilians Saturday when government forces opened fire at them near the site of an encounter in Pulwama district after three militants and an Army-man were killed there.
Immediately after the incident on December 15, the Governor had chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers of the state and central police forces at the Raj Bhavan and directed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to inquire into the incident and suggest precautions to minimise civilian casualties during anti-militancy operations.
Today’s meeting was attended by K. Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor; Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh, Northern Army Commander; B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Dilbagh Singh, Director General of Police; Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhat, GoC 15 Corps; Lt. Gen. Paramjit Singh, GOC 16 Corps; Lt. Gen. YVK Mohan, GoC 9 Corps; Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; R.K. Goyal, Principal Secretary Home; B Srinivas ADGP CID; Muneer Khan, ADGP, Security and Law and Order; A.V. Chouhan, IG, CRPF; Abhinav Kumar, IG BSF Kashmir; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; and SDS Jamwal, IGP Jammu.
