Kashmir IGP wants to step up operations to combat terrorism

Inspector General of Police for Kashmir, VK Birdi, gave the order to step up counterterrorism operations in the valley on Thursday, one day after a migrant worker was killed in Jammu and Kashmir, with the goal of eliminating any “remaining terror threats.”

Following the incident on Wednesday, Birdi presided over a meeting to examine security in this police control room. Terrorists shot and killed Raja Shah, a native of Banka district in Bihar, in Jablipora in the Bijbehara region of Anantnag district.

Officers from the J&K Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, and other agencies were present as Birdi said, “Enhance anti-terrorist operations to neutralise the remaining threats and keep strict vigil on terrorist associates and anti-national elements.” According to a police spokesman, the investigators investigated tactics meant to protect voters’ safety and security while upholding the fairness of the election process. “To prevent any potential terror incidents, the IGP directed the district heads to analyze and reassess the existing strategies,” the statement said.

According to the spokesman, the conference placed a strong focus on the need of reviewing and bolstering regional dominance tactics in order to remedy any gaps. Birdi emphasised the need of properly neutralising the risks posed by terrorists and other hostile groups by keeping them out of the public eye.

In order to maintain operational effectiveness and security, he also gave stringent instructions about the observance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which include protocols for the movement of security personnel around the Valley.

“To ensure the safety of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) traveling between districts, the range detectives were assigned the responsibility of closely monitoring their designated regions. It was also considered how to coordinate route planning with equivalent DIGs of CAPFs,” he said.

In order to address possible threats, the spokesman added that special attention was placed on stepping up cordon and search operations as well as producing useful information, especially in locations close to roads.

The officials were instructed to set up checkpoints at the several Srinagar gateways as well as the interdistrict borders that border the city.