On July 10, 2024, a firing incident was reported near a police station in the Udhampur district of Jammu, Jammu, and Kashmir, amid a rising graph of militancy in the region. The encounter between security forces and terrorists is still underway at the Sang police post of Basantgarh Tehsil in Udhampur.
This latest attack comes as a part of a series of terror incidents that have rocked Jammu in recent months. Since June 9, 2024, at least four attacks have been reported in areas close to the Jammu border, such as Kathua. These attacks have claimed the lives of eight security personnel and 10 civilians.
The security forces are investigating whether the highly trained terrorists infiltrated the International Border, which is secured by the Border Security Force (BSF). A senior BSF official stated that a security audit conducted along the 192-km International Border in Jammu did not find any breach or suspicious movements. The BSF checked the footage of underwater and surface surveillance cameras but did not record any intrusion.
The possibility of terrorists using tunnels is also being looked into. Till 2022, the BSF had detected at least five tunnels along the Jammu border. As part of comprehensive border security measures, the BSF has placed underwater cameras and sensors in the riverine patches, and live electric wires have been laid down to detect any infiltration attempts.
On July 9, 2024, five Army personnel were killed when terrorists opened fire at two Army vehicles from two directions at Jenda Nallah in Badnota village, around 124 km away from Kathua town. This incident has further heightened the security concerns in the region.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the BSF and Punjab Police, have reviewed the security scenario in Kathua. The meeting was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Director-General of Police R.R. Swain, his Punjab counterpart Gaurav Yadav, the special Director-General of BSF, Western Command, Y.B. Khurania, and others.
The firing incident near the Udhampur police station has once again highlighted the need for enhanced security measures and intelligence sharing among various agencies to combat the growing threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The government must take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the people in the region.
To prevent future attacks in the Udhampur district, several measures are being taken by the security forces and the government:
- Enhanced Security Measures:
- Search Operations: Security personnel have initiated search operations in response to reports of suspicious activity in the Udhampur and Rajouri districts. These operations include thorough searches in areas like Patnitop’s Karlah, Kalakote’s Jata, Sunderbani’s Devak, and Triyath regions.
- Heightened Security at Tourist Destinations: Security measures have been heightened at the popular tourist destination of Patnitop following the reports of suspicious activity.
- Border Security:
- Border Surveillance: The Border Security Force (BSF) has conducted a security audit along the International Border in Jammu. They have checked footage from underwater and surface surveillance cameras and live electric wires to detect any infiltration attempts.
- Tunnel Detection: The BSF has placed underwater cameras and sensors in riverine patches to detect any tunneling activities by terrorists.
- Intelligence Gathering and Sharing:
- Intelligence Agencies: The Jammu and Kashmir police, along with the BSF and Punjab Police, have reviewed the security scenario in Kathua and are working together to enhance intelligence gathering and sharing.
- Regular Meetings: Senior officials from various security agencies meet regularly to discuss the security situation and coordinate their efforts to prevent future attacks.
- Training and Awareness Programs:
- Cyber Crime Training: A 5-day training program on cybercrime was conducted at SKPA Udhampur to enhance the skills of security personnel in dealing with cyber threats.
- Awareness Programs: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Udhampur has hosted awareness programs on the Prohibition of Child Marriage to educate the public about relevant laws and prevent related crimes.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Devika Sewerage Project: The execution of the Devika Sewerage Project has been ongoing, which includes the closure of certain roads for a period to facilitate construction.
Conclusion
The fire incident near the Udhampur police station is a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir. The recent spate of terror attacks in the region has claimed several lives and raised concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures in place.
The government must take proactive steps to address the situation, including strengthening border security, enhancing intelligence gathering, and ensuring effective coordination among various security agencies. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve to live in a peaceful and secure environment, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their safety.