Amidst reports of Pakistan Army making attempts to push in heavily armed terrorists and also supporters of JKLF terror outfit in Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) marching towards the Line of Control (LOC) to protest against abrogation of the Article 370, the J&K DGP Dilbag Singh has extensively toured the sensitive forward areas to review the security situation.

The Northern Army Commander, Lt. General Ranbir Singh had also earlier visited the forward areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts.

There were reports that more than 500 trained terrorists were waiting at the launching pads along the LOC in POJK for being pushed into J&K. Pakistani Army was indulging in frequent mortar shelling in the civilian areas of the two districts of Jammu and Uri in Kashmir to push in terrorists.

The DGP said in Poonch that few groups of terrorists succeeded in infiltrating under the cover of firing by Pakistani troops but some of them have been neutralised by the security forces.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is trying to instigate people of POJK against abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by the Modi government and had also engineered the march towards the LOC. However, on Sunday he asked the marchers not to cross the LOC.

It is learned that orders have been issued to the security forces to shoot anyone who tries to step on the Indian soil by breaching the LOC. The sanctity of the LOC has to be maintained, they have been told.

The DGP  on Sunday flew to Poonch, Mandi and the mountainous area of Hill-Kaka that was an earlier notorious hideout of Pakistani terrorists and also their infiltration route.

He took stock of the security scenario, addressed a public meeting at Kulali and also held a joint meeting of Police, Central Armed Police Forces officers and personnel of Army at Mandi. He also visited the general areas of hill-Kaka and some other border areas of Poonch district.

He urged the civilians to remain vigilant against any mischief of Pakistan.

The DGP also reviewed the security arrangments at Katra and Vaishnodevi shrine where large numbers of pilgrims are visiting during the Navratras.

While interacting with the jurisdictional Police and CRPF officers, the DGP stressed coordination and synergy among security forces. The DGP directed officials for plugging gaps if any by static as well as dynamic deployment. He stressed the strengthening of Quick Reaction Teams so that they are readily available on a real-time basis to check and chase.

He impressed for use of drones and effective coverage of shadow areas along the route and the Bhawan. He also emphasized the optimum use of bulletproof bunkers and shields and hassle-free communication.

The DGP was briefed by the Commanding Officer of the 16 RR Lt. Colonel Kashish Wadwha  about the security scenario and counter-infiltration and counter-terrorism measures being taken by the forces in the Hill-Kaka area that had earlier become a stronghold of terrorists and the Army in 2003 launched the special operation “Sarp Vinash” to clear the area.

The DGP reviewed the situation at Mandi in Poonch with officers of the Army, BSF, SSB, CISF, RAF, Police, and intelligence agencies and stressed the need to foil attempts of Pakistan to infiltrate terrorists.