Srinagar, 22 Jun 2021. Core Group consisting of top officials of Civil Administration,
Intelligence Agencies, Security Forces and Divisional Commissioner at Srinagar met
today at Badami Bagh Cantonment to review the security situation in Kashmir. The
meeting was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen DP
Pandey and Director General of Police Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Dilbag Singh.
The core group discussed the satisfactory handling of COVID-19 in Kashmir.
It was well appreciated that how National and State civil departments along with the
security forces worked as a joint team and kept the pandemic under control when
compared to the other parts of India during the peak of second wave. A brief stock of
preparedness for the likely third wave was taken.
The officials shared inputs about the Line of Control and hinterland security
situation. The officials stated that the ceasefire has improved the security situation along
the border, however, intelligence inputs of terrorist launch pads and terrorist training
activities in Pakistan indicate the need to be alert along the Line of Control. There are
indications of heightened activity in last two months. The cross-border smuggling of
narcotics and weapons continues to be focus of the intelligence agencies and security
forces. This included continued vigil and checks on all passes leading to Kashmir valley.
Review of violence indicators of first six months of the year show an improvement
in all security parameters. There is a joint security forces effort at targeting the OGW
network that sustains terrorism and focused efforts by the police have led to apprehension
of nearly 400 such persons. Local recruitment though lower than previous years,
continues to be the focus area of the security and intelligence agencies. The effort is to
engage with the vulnerable youth and target the OGW network engaged in the recruitment
process. The recruitment is higher in some pockets where synergised counter actions are
being executed.
The officials shared continued focus on vehicles of dubious antecedents as they
are used for transportation of arms and contraband, and also can be used for Vehicle
Based IEDs. The efforts of some tanzeems to use variety of IEDs are being proactively
countered. Reports of encroachments along the national highway are being checked as
these can cause security threat to the convoy movement on the highways.
The officials discussed the issue of criminal acts being done under the garb of a
terrorist attack and the need to differentiate between a terror attack and criminal attack.
The shift of terrorists' modus operandi in targeting soft targets and counter measures
were also discussed.
The Divisional Commissioner shared details of development activities underway
and the efforts to energies and operationalize the grassroot democratic structure. He
shared the plans for youth engagement which included the plans to setup youth centers in
all districts, down to panchayat level.
The officials deliberated on the propaganda effort by Pakistan and their
antagonistic information warfare tactics. Sadly, these efforts include propaganda to
legitimize killing of Kashmiri civilians by the terrorists. The use of social media to spread
disinformation is widespread and needs to be countered proactively by a joint effort.
The DGP and Corps Commander, commended the officials present for the
improved security indicators. A special mention was made on the measures taken to
minimize the collateral damage in operations despite risk to own soldiers. They called
upon all to continue efforts at better intelligence, better preventive security measures and
effective intelligence based counter terror operations. They called for continued efforts
along with the civil society to counter the separatist propaganda and break the cycle of
violence for long term peace in Kashmir.
