Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting on the security situation and also reviewed the progress of various development projects of Kashmir Division.
The LG directed the civil and police administration to work in close coordination with the security agencies to neutralise the terror ecosystem.
He said those who are aiding and abetting terrorists and their ecosystem should not be spared.
During the meeting, the LG sought the action taken report from the DCs and SSPs to curb the menace of drug abuse in their respective districts.
The meeting also discussed the preparations made by the districts and police administration ahead of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Yoga Diwas and Eid-ul-Adha celebrations.
The meeting discussed important matters related to yatra including security and traffic management, upgradation of roads; earmarking of areas for tents, langar services; RFID Cards and 100% implementation of pre-paid services of ponies and pithoos.
The LG also reviewed the progress of various development projects, delivery of public services and implementation of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and other government-run schemes and programmes.
The LG also congratulated the DCs and SSPs for the successful and peaceful conduct of Parliamentary elections and Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela.
The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home Department; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Law & Order; Nitish Kumar, ADGP CID; Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG; Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, DIGs, Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and other senior officials.
Don’t Raise False Flags: DGP Urges Public
The recent terror incidents were a desperate attempt by the handlers, based across the border, to keep their shops running after massive setback to terror infrastructure in Kashmir, Director General of Police R R Swain said on Saturday, asserting that the enemy forces will be defeated.
He requested the people not to raise “false flags” and cross-check the information about the movement of terrorists before sharing it with the security agencies so that “we should be there where we ought to be”.
The terrorists struck at four places including a pilgrim bus in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts from June 9 to 12, killing nine persons and a CRPF jawan and leaving scores of others injured. Two suspected Pakistani terrorists were also killed in one of the encounters in Kathua.
“When you are talking about a threat or challenge, you see how serious or big it is. The challenge is coming from across the border and they (terror handlers) have taken a decision that they will keep the pot boiling.
“They have noticed that the days of terrorism (in Jammu and Kashmir) are numbered, given the major setback inflicted on the terror infrastructure in Kashmir. How can those, whose bread and better runs on this, give it up so easily?
“The contractors (handlers) are sitting across the border and to keep their shops running, they send them (foreign mercenaries) here,” the police chief said.
He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to Saida Sukhal village in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district where the two suspected Pakistani terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in an over 15-hour long operation on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Swain, accompanied by Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain, interacted with the police personnel deployed in the village for an ongoing search operation. The DGP also visited Hiranagar police station and addressed the policemen, lauding their role in the recent gunfight.
“As we see, they (terrorists) are not in huge numbers. They are like rats but they exist. They have guns and they are using these on innocent people,” he said, assuring the people that all of them will be eliminated.
“The way the information flow (about movement of terrorists) is there, we have Village Defence Guards, police forces, CRPF and the Army. How long will they hold their ground facing them?
“In the past, they made an attempt to spread anarchy (in Jammu region for eight to 10 years) but they failed. They will meet the same fate again,” he said.
He said the central government has given instructions for further strengthening the manpower and equipment including weapons, night vision devices, training skill, vehicles and “we will neutralize them”.
The DGP said use of drones by Pakistan to drop weapons and narcotics continued to be a challenge. He said a handful of people are supporting terrorism and stern action against them will be initiated to make them an example for others so that no one else ever thinks of supporting them.
“We should accept that this is a war which was thrust upon us. In any war, the enemy makes an attempt to cause more harm to the opposite side. We will adopt such tactics and strategy not only to eliminate them but also ensure minimum harm to us,” he said.
He requested people to continue with the flow of information but cross-check it.
“Don’t raise false flags. We should be there where we ought to be,” he said, adding that the police have responded to every input so far.
Reasi Attack: 10 Injured Discharged
Six life-saving surgeries were performed on the most critically injured patients of the terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, doctors said.
“Our priority was stabilising patients and saving lives,” recounts director of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.
Fifteen critically injured patients were admitted to SMVD Narayana Hospital at Katra. Ten of them have already been discharged, and five are still under observation and are responding well to treatment, the hospital said.
Nine persons, including seven pilgrims from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, were killed and 41 injured in the attack when the terrorists opened fire on the bus carrying pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori shrine near Teryath village in the Pouni area.
The 53-seater bus veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge following the gunfire.
Hospital director Dr Mathavan said Code Orange, which refers to external disasters, was activated for the victims of the terror attack.
A dedicated emergency team led by Dr Sonia Dogra (emergency medicine), Dr Suhail Khuroo (GI surgery), and Dr Vikas Padha (orthopaedics) was immediately mobilised.
The team of doctors performed six life-saving surgeries on the most critical patients, including Luxmi Devi (35) who had complex abdominal injuries and Rikshona (29) who had a severe spleen injury, Mathavan said.
Dr Khuroo successfully stabilised Luxmi’s condition and performed a lifesaving splenectomy on Rikshona.
“The entire team worked tirelessly using our advanced facilities and expertise to deliver the best possible care. We activated Code Orange and roughly 150 staff responded swiftly. Both medical staff and patients displayed inspiring resilience,” he said.
Usha Pandey (43), who sustained shrapnel injuries in the attack, said “I was terrified, but the doctors and nurses treated me with kindness and care. They not only healed my wounds but also gave me the strength to believe I could recover. I owe them my life.”
Bunty Gupta (30), who had sustained a gunshot wound, said “When I arrived, I was critical. The staff treated me like family. Their dedication and compassion have been extraordinary, and I am forever grateful.”
The team’s coordinated efforts were crucial, said Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Anshul Garg. “Every second counts”.
“Having a well-equipped facility allowed us to provide immediate and compassionate care. Seeing our patients recover is the greatest reward. The Shrine Board will unconditionally bear the entire treatment cost,” he said.
2 Key Doda Roads Reopen After 3-days
Two inter-state roads connecting Doda district in Jammu region with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were reopened on Saturday after a three-day closure owing to a terror attack, officials said
The development has brought a major respite to tourists and locals.
Terrorists struck a joint security post in 12,000-feet-high Chattergalla, the highest point on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot and Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state roads Tuesday night, causing injuries to five soldiers and a Special Police Officer.
A massive search operation was launched to track down the terrorists while traffic on the two busy inter-state roads was suspended to avoid any untoward incident.
Restrictions were also imposed on all high-altitude picnic spots including Guldanda, Chattergalla Paas, Padri and Jaie Ghati following the terrorist attack.
Officials said though efforts are on to neutralise the terrorists, the two vital roads have been made secure with the deployment of additional forces.
Chief Executive Officer of Bhaderwah Development Authority Bal Krishan said all restrictions on the movement of locals and visitors have been lifted and tourists should not pay heed to rumours as “we assure the safety of all visitors in all high-altitude spots.”
Locals and visitors thanked the administration for lifting the restrictions and said they have full faith in the security forces.
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