Jammu : Ringing alarm bells before Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, senior Army officers heading various formations of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps on Wednesday raised the issue of growing ‘radicalisation’ of youth belonging to hilly districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch at a high-level security review meeting in Jammu.
According it a top priority senior Army officers also hinted at tracking down ‘resource’ persons engaged in coercion in the hinterland through their well-knit network of over ground workers (OGWs). As the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir Valley is gradually spreading to parts of Jammu region, the security agencies are a worried lot and keeping a tight vigil on the activities of ‘radicalised’ youths as they have been roped in by the vested interests to flare up tensions in the area.
Doda and Kishtwar districts have already witnessed several clashes between the motivated youth and the security forces where they were prevented from raising anti-India and pro-Azadi slogans during protest demonstrations organised in support of people of Kashmir Valley. On the other hand frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch too have been witnessing unusual violent incidents involving people from different communities. Various state and central intelligence agencies have been keeping a close watch on the suspicious activities of some self styled political workers and other vested interests to maintain peace in the region.
Meanwhile, soon after arriving here in Jammu Army Chief Dalbir Singh was escorted by GoC-in-C Northern Command Lt-Gen DS Hooda and Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar, GOC 16 Corps and given detailed briefing about the prevailing security situation in the region.
According to defence sources,” the issue of increasing number of infiltration bids through the Pir Panjal region in the coming days was discussed and measures taken to thwart the nefarious designs of inimical forces was deliberated upon by the top brass of the Northern command”.
Udhampur based Defence PRO Col SD Goswami in a statement said, ” during the security review meeting Lt-Gen Nimbhorkar briefed the Army Chief about the preparedness of White Knight Corps in dealing with the emerging and dynamically changing security situation and the measures taken to thwart any misadventure by the inimical forces”. He also highlighted the measures adopted to counter any infiltration through employment of an effective counter infiltration grid backed by synergised surveillance and intelligence backed operations.
During the day long visit to Jammu region Army Chief also visited Doda, Reasi and Rajouri wherein he was briefed on the operational readiness and security situation by the respective General Officers.
Source : Daily Pioneer
