In the wake of recent decision taken at unified headquarters meeting, the Army had started night patrolling in north Kashmir district of Baramulla to give a sense of security to the people and especially panchayat members. Last month militants gunned down two panchayat members, forcing hundreds of panches and sarpanches to resign in panic.

General officer commanding of Baramulla-based 19-division of Army, Bipin Rawat, said they have started patrolling in Baramulla area in day as well as night. “The night patrolling was stopped in the district after the situation was improved but now recent killing has forced security forces to sanitise these areas,” he added. “Our aim is to give a sense of security to the people. And panchayat members are part of them.”

Sources said the focus of the Army during night patrolling is on masjids as majority of the attacks took place near them, and around night prayers.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had last week directed the security forces during the unified headquarters meeting to provide safety measures to the elected panchayat members in the vulnerable areas.

Fresh threats to panches

Fresh threat posters of Harkatul Mujahideen militant outfit appeared in Watergam village of Baramulla asking panchayat members to resign or face dire consequences.

Last week the threat posters of Lashkar-e-Tiba appeared in the villages of Drangbl, Naranthal and Jalsheeri of Baramulla district. The posters pasted on the electric poles and compound walls were later removed by police.