NIA chief tells J-K Police to be 'proactive' to curb terror

Amid a sudden spurt in militant attacks, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which recently shifted captured Pakistani terrorist Naved to Srinagar for investigations, has conveyed to the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police to be “proactive” so Udhampur-like attacks can be averted.

Sources said NIA Director General Sharad Kumar, who recently visited J&K, “told the state police the sudden spurt in militant attacks in the state speaks about police negligence on some fronts of vital importance”, said a police official wishing not to be named.

Kumar, during his Kashmir visit, also called on Governor N N Vohra and briefed him about the status of the Udhampur attack investigation.

Sources said the state police have been accused of working on “misplaced priorities”. “At a time when vigil has to be improved, the police have been found concentrating more on civic action programmes and sporting activities in Kashmir,” they said, adding that the Central government has asked the police to bring about “major changes in its strategies to counter rising militancy related incidents”.