Push for long duration operation against militants in the higher reaches of Kupwara

Far off Lolab in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, an infamous infiltration route, on Sunday saw a rare, first-hand security assessment by a high-ranking police officer when the Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat conferred with local officers and pushed for a new counter-infiltration strategy — long duration operations against militants using the higher reaches as hideouts.

Amid intelligence inputs on Pakistan’s continuous efforts to support insurgency in the region, Mr. Prabhat took stock at a remote yet strategically sensitive region of Lolab close to the Line of Control (LoC), an area that poses challenges to security agencies from infiltrating militants. He chalked out counter-infiltration strategies for peak summers, and reviewed security forces’ preparedness.

Assisted by Senior Superintendent of Police Ghulam Jeelani Wani, Mr. Prabhat sought details of counter-infiltration preparedness, and joined policemen on the ground to boost their morale in the face of challenges posed by militants. 

An official said the DGP focused on long duration operations. He also interacted with the J&K Police’s Special Operations Group, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, and underlined the importance of prolonged anti-militancy operations to track down hiding terrorists.

Exhorting policemen to exhibit zero tolerance towards militancy and violence, Mr. Prabhat’s visit is being seen as a serious push to establish lasting peace in the Kashmir Valley.

The DGP also sought inputs from locals, who appreciated the tour by the senior official to the remote valley, home to a tough terrain with dense forests.

Kashmir is witnessing waning militancy, and Mr. Prabhat’s tour of Lolab is an indication that the police are gearing up for any fresh attempts to send in militants on these traditional routes by handlers across the LoC.