Raise security around infra projects, construction camps, Lieutenant Governor tells police

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday asked the J&K Police to ensure stringent measures to tighten the security grid around key infrastructure projects and construction camps for safety of workers. Sinha passed these directions during a security review for the Kashmir division in a meeting at the Raj Bhawan here.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of the deadly terror attack on construction workers at a tunnel in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district on Sunday. Seven persons — a local doctor and six non-local labourers — were killed in the attack claimed by the TRF, a shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Eliminate terrorism

The police should ensure robust security and intelligence grid, and with intensified, well-planned joint operation with the Army and other security agencies, eliminate terrorism. The entire terror ecosystem, including perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists, requires to be completely dismantled.

—Manoj Sinha, J&K Lieutenant Governor

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti; Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and other senior officials of J&K Police.

A government spokesperson said the Lt Governor stressed upon the establishment of mechanisms for regular coordination meetings with project implementing agencies. He directed the police to “conduct security audit of infrastructure projects, round-the-clock nakas at the strategic points, night patrolling and area domination.”

Sinha also ordered the police to ensure “robust security and intelligence grid and intensified, well-planned joint operation with Army and other security agencies to eliminate terrorism.”

“The entire terror ecosystem, including perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists, requires to be completely dismantled,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Ganderbal terror attack is the first incident where militants have targeted employees of an infrastructure project in the Valley. While the investigation is underway, nearly 40 people have been rounded up for questioning in connection with the attack.

Police officials said the attackers are believed to have recently infiltrated through the Gurez sector of Bandipora. They reportedly fled into the nearby dense forests, just opposite the camp, after carrying out the attack.