Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police is mulling revamping the security cover of leaders “vulnerable” to militant attacks along with fresh training to those guarding them in view recent attacks, a top official said on Friday.
The remarks came a day after four militants attacked BJP leader Anwar Ahmad’s residence in Nowgam here and a policeman, Rameez Raja, was killed.
Addressing a press conference at the police control room here, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said leaders from all political parties face threats in the Kashmir Valley, but some of them like those from the BJP are more vulnerable.
“The BJP leaders face more threat, and that is why I along with a DIG and the SSP took a review of the security cover of BJP and Apni Party leaders across the city yesterday. We checked where the deficiencies were, where is the need for improvement or increasing manpower or making bunkers stronger,” he said.
“We are on it and we are also increasing the morale of police personnel deployed for security duties. We will accordingly take concrete measures to ensure fool-proof security cover to those facing threats from militants. I assure you if there is another attack, it will be foiled and our jawans will neutralise the militants,” Kumar said.
The IGP said that new standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be put in place to strengthen the security cover to “vulnerable” politicians.
“Our men deployed on duty for protected persons will get fresh training sessions, and new SOPs and advisories will be put in place. Local personal security officers of protected persons will be changed as they leave for their homes early if they belong to the same area where the protected person is living,” he said.
It is a challenge to provide security, but the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) is taking all measures to strengthen the security system, Kumar said.
“Many changes will take place, there will be revamping in the PSO (personal security officer) system. Protected persons or the JKP jawan are vulnerable as they are soft targets. This is a challenge, but we are taking measures,” he said.
“We will get more manpower during the (Amarnath) Yatra and complete security deployment,” he also said. The 56-day Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine is scheduled to start from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal on June 28 and culminate on August 22. Registration for the pilgrimage began on April 01.
Two of the four militants who attacked Ahmad’s residence on Thursday were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district on Friday. The other two are on the run, according to officials.
The IGP said that “Pakistani handlers of militants were frustrated after the successful elections to district development council (DDC) polls which remained incident-free.”
“The DDC elections were incident-free which has frustrated the Pakistan handlers (of militants) and they will attempt to attack public representatives especially of the Panchayati Raj institutions. But, we are taking measures to beef up their security. We cannot give security to all, but those who face threats, are vulnerable and consult us, will be provided enough security cover,” Kumar said. (With PTI inputs)
