LS polls: Top security brass meets in Srinagar to finalise plan for smooth elections

Srinagar, April 02 (KNO) : Top security officials of Army, police and the other security agencies Tuesday rubbed their shoulders to frame a solid security strategy to ensure upcoming Parliamentary polls commencing from April 11 while as it was unanimously discussed that “extra vigil to be maintained at all levels” to thwart militant attacks aimed at disrupting polls.

The meeting was held at army’s Srinagar-based 15 Coprs headquarters and chaired by GoC-in-C of northern command, Lt General Ranbhir Singh while as top police officers including DGP Dilbagh Singh, ADGP Munir Khan, IGP Kashmir S P Pani, ADGP armed Javid Gilani and other officials of intelligence grid were present on the occasion.

“Main focus will remain that there should be no militant attack during the poll period that is from April 11 to May 6,” a top official told KNO, on the condition of anonymity. “The polls need to be held in a very smooth and fair manner and for that a coordinated approach needs to be followed.”

Reliable sources said that it was decided that all the security agencies remain on high alert mode and foil all the possible designs of militants aimed at disrupting the polls. 

“Human intelligence would be heightened while as militants would be chased and eliminated in a very professional manner. This was decided in the meeting,” sources told KNO.

The army Commander also took a review of current situation in Kashmir and to evolve a strategy for the forthcoming polls. He said the meeting was attended by senior officials of various security agencies, including Army, J-K Police, CRPF and BSF.

The meeting reviewed the current situation in the valley and evolved a strategy for the summer months, including security-related strategy for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, the official said. 

The Army commander, Northern Command, Monday began his two-day visit to Kashmir valley to review the security situation in the backdrop of recent counter-militancy operations and the forthcoming polls.

On the first day of his visit, Lt Gen Singh visited the forward areas in the frontier district of Baramulla in north Kashmir, where he was briefed by commanders on the ground about the current situation. 

During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed on the counter infiltration grid and operational preparedness of the formations apart from various developmental works being undertaken to improve the life of the people residing in remote areas.