There were reports that terrorists were also infiltrating through the riverine Gurdaspur border in Punjab, in addition to the traditional routes in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts
In a significant move to enhance border security, top officials from the Border Security Force (BSF), intelligence agencies, and the Police forces of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Punjab gathered to discuss new strategies for managing the border. This high-level meeting, held at District Police Lines (DPL) Kathua, focused on finding innovative solutions to address the evolving challenges of border security, aiming to strengthen collaboration and effectiveness in safeguarding the region.
The meeting came in the wake of a deadly terrorist ambush on an Army patrol. The attack, carried out by terrorists who are said to have infiltrated from across the International Border (IB), occurred on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar mountain road near Badnota village, approximately 150 km from the district headquarters of Kathua. Five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed, and five others were injured when the terrorists opened fire on two Army vehicles on Monday.
The review meeting was attended by key figures in security and law enforcement, including Special DG of BSF Western Command, Y B Khurania; DGP J&K Police Rashmi Ranjan Swain; DGP Punjab Police Gaurav Yadav; Special DG, IS, R N Dhoke; Special DGP (Law and Order), Punjab, Arpit Shukla; ADGP (Law and Order), J&K, Vijay Kumar; ADGP Jammu Zone Anand Jain; IGPs of BSF A K Digambar and D K Boora; DIGs Sunil Gupta, JSK Range, J&K Police, S S Maan, DIG Samba Kathua Range, BSF, Rakesh Kaushal, DIG Border Range Punjab, and other officers.
Discussions during the meeting focused on assessing and improving the security grid along the IB to identify and rectify any vulnerabilities. Officials noted that the terrorists had infiltrated through the IB and reached the dense forests of Machedi, an area that connects Basantgarh in Udhampur and Bhaderwah in Doda district. This route had been used by terrorists during the peak of terrorism in the area over two decades ago.
Although these areas had been cleared of terrorist presence, the resurgence of terror activities has reignited severe security concerns. To tackle terrorism, in-depth discussions were held, and suggestions were sought from all stakeholders in the security establishment.
It was decided that the anti-infiltration grid along the IB would be strengthened, primarily by the BSF. The BSF and the border Police forces of J&K and Punjab have been alerted and directed to remain vigilant against infiltration attempts and drone flights from Pakistan.
There were reports that terrorists were also infiltrating through the riverine Gurdaspur border in Punjab, in addition to the traditional routes in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts. The BSF and J&K Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG) have launched a special drive in the border areas of Samba to track any cross-border tunnels through which Pakistani agencies might push in terrorists. In the past, the BSF had detected several such tunnels, particularly in the Samba and Jammu districts.
Earlier, DIG JSK Range, IG BSF Jammu, DIG BSF Gurdaspur, and SSP Pathankot gave presentations, followed by in-depth discussions addressing key security concerns. In light of the discussions, several strategic initiatives were proposed to augment the security framework along the border. To foster better coordination and synergy between the BSF and Police forces of Punjab and J&K, the meeting also recommended regular joint training sessions and drills.
