Srinagar, Feb 20: Kashmir's security grid was seen in a huddle on Saturday, a day after deadly militant attack in Baghat area of Srinagar that left two policemen dead. The meeting was chaired to discuss and frame a fresh strategy to prevent such attacks in future and issue some fresh advisories to men on ground.
A police spokesman in a statement issued here said that IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar chaired a detailed security review meeting at PCR Srinagar in view of recent militant attacks in Srinagar City.
“The meeting was attended by IG CRPF Srinagar Ops Sector Charu Sinha, DIG CKR Amit Kumar, DIG CRPF North Srinagar, DIG CRPF South Srinagar, DIG SSB, all Zonal SSPs of District Srinagar and all Srinagar based Commandants of CRPF and SSB,” the statement issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), read.
It stated that focus of the meeting was recent attacks by militants in the Srinagar City and the security measures to counter such attacks. “The participating officers presented an overview of the steps initiated by them in their respective areas to counter such attacks and other challenges faced at the ground level,” the statement said, adding that “IGP Kashmir was also briefed about the detailed security measures put in place to counter such attacks and for the maintenance of peace and security particularly for tourists as it is expected that a large number of tourists will visit valley in the coming summer season.”
The statement further said that while interacting with the officers, the IGP Kashmir urged upon the participating officers that it is of crucial importance to enhance security surveillance of all vital establishments & locations besides to take care of vulnerable persons to thwart away the nefarious designs of militants in Srinagar city. He also urged upon them to take all necessary measures for ensuring peaceful atmosphere in the Srinagar City.
The statement further said that the IGP further stressed on the officers to strengthen the general security grid and to ensure better synergy & coordination among themselves and other sister agencies working at the ground level, so that militants and anti national elements do not get any chance to disturb the present peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Srinagar City. “He also highlighted the importance of round the clock checkpoints/nakas at strategic locations, surprise (flash) naka, surprise limited CASO in crowded places, placing cut-off points on exit routes immediately after such incident and dominating from high reaches, use of drones to check the movement of elements inimical to peace.
The IGP, as per the statement, urged upon the Zonal SsP to keep a close watch on anti national/anti-social elements, besides taking stringent action against such elements including trouble makers and rumour mongers. “He emphasized upon them that they have to be more vigilant and proactive on ground to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the Srinagar City,” the statement said, adding that the “IGP instructed officers to enhance surveillance and conduct anti-militant operations in their respective areas and take all proactive steps for maintaining peace and stability in the Srinagar City. He also emphasized upon the officers to keep strict surveillance over the militant associates and take all necessary measures under law against them.”
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Jammu Airport Closure: Jt committee constituted to avoid complete closure
Committee, comprising representatives of AF, MES, AAI, to submit recommendations within a week
Jammu Tawi, Feb 20: The defence secretary has asked the concerned officials to constitute a joint committee comprising representatives from the Air Force, MES and AAI to work out a feasible and mutually acceptable plan to avoid the complete closure of Jammu airport for runway resurfacing work.
The decision was taken during a meeting that was held under the chairmanship of the defence secretary on February 18 in New Delhi to discuss the closure of Jammu airport for resurfacing works on the runway.
As per the minutes of the meeting, it was decided that a joint committee comprising representatives from Air Force, MES and AAl will work on a feasible and mutually acceptable plan, which could avoid the complete closure of the airport to the extent possible.
The committee has been asked to submit its recommendations within a week.
The meeting was attended by Dr Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary, Air Marshal HS Arora, Air Marshal VPS Rana, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Satish Singh, AVM SK Jha, M.P. Gupta, IN Murthy, Anil Garg and Narendra Singh, deputy secretary MoCA.
The meeting, chaired by the defence secretary, was informed about the technical aspects of the works that are to be carried out through a presentation. “It was stated that carrying out the works as proposed by the administration of UT of J&K/ MoCA may have a bearing on the quality and life of pavement due to technicalities involved.”
As per the minutes, it was also brought out that work was needed to be done during the daytime.
“Representatives from AAI stated they had carried out similar runway resurfacing works in different work-spells as well as during night time at various locations including the northeast and there have been no complaints.”
Defence Secretary stated that complete closure of the airport will cause not only inconvenience to the common public but also a disruption in the efforts towards the sustained connectivity of UT of J&K with the rest of India. “Hence, all available options need to be explored.”
Meanwhile, during the meeting JS (Air), DMA suggested that the work could be deferred by some duration to reap the benefits of longer daylight hours and higher temperatures. “Compressing operational hours for fight clearances at the airport by AAI also emerged as one of the options that could be explored.”
