Security forces on December 30, launched cordon and search operations (CASO) along border areas and the mountainous hinterland of Poonch and Kishtwar districts of J&K as part of heightened anti-terror measures, officials said. Acting on inputs about the presence of two terrorist groups operating in the Doda-Kishtwar forest areas, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Keshwan-Chatroo valley apprehending terrorist movement, they said.
Troops used drones and other aerial surveillance equipment to monitor the area in a bid to track down the terrorists, they added. Aclanccording to these reports, two groups of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, with two to three operatives each, are believed to be present in the area, which has witnessed encounters in the past. At the time of new year celebrations, and the presence of holiday makers in large numbers at most tourist spots, the threat of terrorists striking at such places is very real. To prevent any such mishap, the security forces have doubled up vigilance and are maintaining round the clock surveillance.
The Romeo Force of the Army, based in Rajouri, also conducted search operations at Khanetar Top along the Indo-Pak border in Poonch and adjoining areas following suspected terrorist movement, officials said. The troops were equipped with aerial surveillance support and sniffer dogs. The Romeo Force is specially aimed at countering terrorist activities in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Additionally, security forces have intensified vehicle checking along the Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Udhampur districts as part of heightened alert ahead of the New Year. The border security grid too has been further strengthened. The police have activated Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and border police along the Indo-Pak border in view of possible infiltration from across the border, officials said. Incidentally, due to dense fog in these areas, visibility is very low and the chances of terrorists trying to take advantage of this cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile, the police have imposed strict restrictions on trekking in the upper forest areas of Tangmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, prohibiting non-local tourists from entering the forests. It has directed local residents to obtain prior permission before venturing into the area. Police said the safety advisory was issued following an unauthorised trekking incident reported in the Danwas forest area on December 21, prompting concerns over public safety and security.
To avoid any security-related misunderstandings, police said local residents must seek requisite permission from the concerned authorities and inform the local police or administration before entering the upper forest reaches. For non-local tourists, police said entry and trekking in the upper forest areas have been strictly prohibited under all circumstances. This area is contiguous to some Pakistan areas nearby and there have been some incidents of terrorism here in the past. In view of those incidents, trekking in higher reaches remained restricted for several months and has now been put on hold altogether.
Urging public cooperation, police said the measures are aimed at maintaining a secure environment and preventing untoward incidents in the sensitive forest region. The Danwas forest connects the upper reaches of Baramulla district with the Tangmarg–Gulmarg axis and forms part of a dense forest belt linking north Kashmir with the foothills of the Pir Panjal range, the Loran Mandi and Degwar area of Poonch district mainly. The area also serves as a natural corridor between Tangmarg, Gulmarg and adjoining forested areas.
In another security related precautionary measure, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of several districts all over the Union Territory (UT) of J&K have banned the use of VPN for using internet services. The ban on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) comes as authorities step up mobile phone surveillance to ensure strict compliance with the orders. Several districts in the Jammu region had banned the use of VPN earlier and two arrests were made by Doda police for violating these orders a couple of days ago.
Kupwara, Kulgam and Shopian are the latest districts in the Kashmir division to enforce the ban, warning of legal action against violators. The move follows reports from security agencies about increased VPN usage by suspicious internet users. In an order issued by Kupwara Magistrate Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, reference was made to communications from police highlighting a surge in VPN use in the district. The order stated that VPN services could be exploited for unlawful and anti-national activities, including incitement of unrest, dissemination of misleading or inflammatory content, and coordination of actions prejudicial to public order, tranquillity and national security.
