CRPF deployment in vulnerable areas to restore confidence among people: SSP

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, Jan 5: In the aftermath of the Dhangri massacre on Sunday evening followed by an IED blast on Monday in Rajouri district, in which 6 persons, including two minors were killed, the intelligence grid and SFs are under tremendous pressure as they failed to trace, track, & eliminate the 2 tourists involved in this heinous crime.
For the last five days, Security Forces (SFs) have launched massive search operations in Rajouri and Poonch districts at about 10-15 locations to eliminate the perpetrators of the Dhangri massacre in which 4 innocent civilians were killed in indiscriminate firing (on Sunday) and 2 minor were killed on Monday in IED blast planted by these terrorists.
The search operations have been launched in DKG, Nowshera, Kha, Jamola, Dana, Kandi, Dalhori, Kha- Jamola, Androla, Potha, Ladote, Budhal, and in many other areas after these terrorists in black dresses executed killings in Dhangri village and escaped unhurt.
After the killings, large-scale protests erupted and the people alleged a complete failure of the intelligence agencies and SFs to eliminate both the terrorists who were first spotted on December 13 in Muradpur village.
Either the involved terrorists believed to be Pakistani may have crossed the LoC back to PoK after the attack on innocent/unarmed civilians or they may strike again by choosing soft targets with the help of their local supporters.
Keeping in view the sensitivity of the incident and developments after the Dhangri massacre, senior police and Army officers are monitoring the situation/ search operations closely.
Even during the last 2-3 months, highly trained and heavily armed terrorists in nexus with Pakistan Army have made several attempts to sneak to this side of LoC from Nowshera, Kanga Gali, Keri, Balakot, Mendhar, KG and Poonch sectors in both the districts.
Many among them were killed on the LoC by the alert Indian troops and, according to unconfirmed reports; some might have managed to sneak to India’s side.
“Search operations are in progress in several areas in both districts to flush out the terrorists. Even several suspected and sympathisers of terror have been rounded up for questioning” said Dr. Haseeb Mughal, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Police Range.
“More than a dozen suspected people have been detained for questioning after information that they might have provided help/support to the terrorists,” said SSP, Mohd Aslam.
“To restore confidence among the people, several steps have been taken, including strengthening of VDCs and replacing non-functional weapons. Additional CRPF forces reaching Rajouri would be deployed in the minority areas (villages already identified),” said SSP.
Reliable sources said that among detained suspected persons, one is a woman (who reportedly provided shelter to terrorists at gunpoint), one had contacted in Pakistan before or after the massacre and another has a woman’s name
Sources added some locals and hard-core OGWs are behind the scene and are providing vital support to these terrorists, including identification of minority community areas for targeted killings
Till the filing of this report, no contact has been established with the perpetrators of Dhangri massacre.