Sale of combat dresses of security forces banned in Samba

Authorities on Monday banned the sale of combat dresses and uniforms of security forces in Jammu & Kashmir's Samba district, which borders Pakistan.

This has been done to prevent militants from gaining access to combat dresses.

District Magistrate Sheetal Nanda said the ban was imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and no unauthorised person or firm shall procure, store, stitch and sale army combat dresses in Samba district.

The ban, imposed after security agencies requested the authorities to regulate the procurement of such articles, came in the backdrop of attacks in Samba and neighbouring Kathua district by militants donning army combat dresses and uniforms of security forces over the years.

"The procuring, storing and selling of (army uniforms) in an unregulated manner may result in the items being passed into the hands of anti-national elements and may cause disturbances to (peace) as has been seen in the past," Nanda said.

The order issuing the ban instructed that "all authorised private firms and shops procuring, storing and selling combat clothes shall immediately inform in writing to the nearest police station regarding their authority to carry on with this business".

In March 2015, two terrorists launched a 'fidayeen' attack on an army camp in Samba district. The terrorists were killed, and a civilian and two army personnel were injured.

The same month militants in army fatigue stormed a police station in Kathua killing seven people.