Centre puts Jammu and Kashmir on highest alert'

New Delhi/Srinagar: The Centre on Wednesday put Jammu & Kashmir on the “highest state of alert” and directed all security agencies to pursue, with greater vigour and aggression, militants active in the region. 

Top security sources in Delhi said the state of alert was upgraded to the highest level following intelligence inputs that there could be more terror attacks.

Early on Wednesday, J&K state police claimed to have killed three Hizbul Mujahideen militants in a firefight, one of whom was involved in the lynching of deputy superintendent of police, Muhammad Ayub Pandith.

A statement issued by J&K police said that Sajad Ahmed Gilkar, son of Nazir Ahmad and resident of Srinagar, had “played key role in the murder of Pandith.” It added, “After the incident, he went underground and joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant ranks”.

The other two militants who died on Wednesday morning in the encounter which began Tuesday night in the central district of Budgam have been identified as Aaqib Gul, a resident of Gooripora, and Javaid Ahmedd Sheikh of Churpora Beerwah of Budgam.

Following the news of the militants’ killing, irate crowds took to the streets in some areas of Srinagar and Budgam and a large number of people turned up at the funeral of the slain militants. About half-a-dozen people, including a press photographer, were injured when security forces fired teargas canisters and shotgun pellets to break the procession of mourners.

Read: J&K: 2 Army jawans killed in firing by Pakistan troops along LoC in Kupwara

As tensions rose, reinforcements from J&K police and central paramilitary forces enforced a security lockdown in parts of Srinagar, including the old town. Mobile Internet services were snapped and train services partially suspended “as a precautionary measure”. 

In Delhi, the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, was focused primarily on the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in which seven were killed and 19 injured, and to ensure that the pilgrimage could continue without incident. So far, more than 1.5 lakh pilgrims have visited the cave shrine located in the Himalayas. The 40-day long pilgrimage began on June 29.

Top security sources said the state of alert was upgraded to the highest level following intelligence inputs that there could be more terror attacks. “Considering the unfortunate loss of life and injuries suffered by the yatris (pilgrims) in the recent terror attack, the entire security apparatus has been put on the highest alert by the ministers,” a home ministry official said.

Read: Protests after Hizbul-Mujahideen militants killed

The CCS, sources added, also reviewed deployment of security forces in the Valley, which was found to be adequate. However, it was agreed to change the deployment pattern of security forces in wake of the Amarnath incident. For instance, the timing of Road Opening Party (ROP) would be extended beyond 7 pm, while presence of mobile bunkers and police posts along the yatra route would be increased.

“This would be done in discussion with commanders of Army and para-military forces operating on the ground,” a senior security official said. Security deployment for Amarnath Yatra this year was almost doubled compared to previous years. 

Initial investigations have revealed that Sunday’s attack was carried out by a group of four Lashkar militants and at least two of them, including Abu Ismail, were Pakistani nationals. Security agencies are also investigating the possibility of local support to this terror module. 

Senior officials from the home ministry, Army, para-military along with two Union ministers, Hansraj Ahir and Jitendra Singh, have already visited the Valley to review the situation. They held extensive discussions with senior security officials in Srinagar, governor N.N. Vohra and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

The ministers have given their feedback to home minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister’s Office on changes required in the existing security apparatus in the Valley.

Meanwhile, home ministry has also asked security agencies in other states to remain alert for any possible backlash against Kashmiris living there in wake of the Amarnath killings.