Joint security meet discusses J&K polls, Amarnath yatra

To ensure violence-free polling, smooth Amarnath yatra and to wipe out militancy from Kashmir, a joint key security meeting was held in Srinagar.

The meeting held at Srinagar-based 15-Corps headquarters was chaired by general officer commanding-in-chief of the northern command, lieutenant general Ranbir Singh and attended by senior officers of army, police and paramilitary forces.

“For violence-free polling in the Valley, the strategy was discussed, and the meeting was informed that pre-poll deployment of forces has been done already and all preparations have been made. It was also informed that the army was carrying out area domination exercises in their respective areas to keep inimical elements at bay,” a senior officer, who was part of the meeting, said.

“The meeting was also informed how trouble makers are being handled and how the campaigning for the first phase is underway smoothly. The secure environment has been carved out by security forces for candidates and voters,” he said. “It was also discussed how attempts made by the militants to disrupt the poll process are foiled. It was therefore decided to forge a multi-pronged and well-coordinated mechanism to deal with the challenge on militancy front.”

Not ruling out the possibility of militant strikes on the eve of upcoming elections, the official said that since February 14 Pulwama suicide attack on CRPF convoy, forces are “walking an extra mile” to prevent a repeat of such attacks.

The meeting also discussed anti-militancy operations and the officers informed that anti-terror operations were being carried out only if there are specific inputs. During the meeting, challenges the forces face in summer months were also discussed. A strategy was chalked out and it was decided nobody will be allowed to disrupt peace during the summer, the official said.

He said that during the deliberations on the overall security situation, the plans to ensure a robust counter-infiltration grid along the Line of Control and counter militancy grid in the hinterland were discussed.

The officer said that in the meeting it was said that security agencies will follow "zero error" policy and step up security for the 2019 annual Amarnath yatra, which will commence from July 1.