Mughal Road major security concern: DIG

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, June 19

The security grid has been tightened in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch following sacrilegious acts at two Jammu temples, threats by militants to disturb and attack the Amarnath yatra and exfiltration attempt by three Kashmiri youths for arms training.

Johnny William, DIG, Rajouri-Poonch police range, said additional police posts had been set up on the Mughal Road and security tightened around all religious places in both districts.

“Though no infiltration has been reported from the two districts in the last few years, we can’t take the matter casually. The security grid on the LoC by the Army and in the interiors by the state police is already in place and any attempt by anti-national elements will be dealt with an iron hand,” said the DIG.

The DIG admitted that opening the Mughal Road had become a major security concern for security forces and intelligence agencies.

“There is no sign of revival of militancy in Rajouri and Poonch districts. The common perception during the security review meeting was being careful after opening of the Mughal Road as two militants were apprehended from Poonch district while attempting exfiltration for arms training,” said the DIG.

On May 16, three militants from Kashmir, after travelling via the Mughal Road, made an attempt to exfiltrate for arms training. One of them, Bilal Ahmed Bhat, a category A militant, was killed. The other two, identified as Mursaleem Rashid and Adil Ahmed Bhat, were nabbed by the Army.

William said militants were in a state of frustration and could plan strikes. Besides deployment of additional forces in many areas in both districts, frisking and checking on the Mughal Road with the help of intelligence agencies had been increased, he said.

Asked about possible infiltration attempts ahead of the forthcoming Budha Amarnath yatra in Poonch district, the DIG said, “Such attempts can’t be ruled out. However, it is fact that the militants make an attempt and we only react, barring a few specific intelligence inputs.”

Besides every security review and deployment for the Budha Amarnath yatra, the Army had been dominating heights, roads and tactical points associated with the Budha Amarnath shrine.