Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the security forces have intensified anti-tunnelling operations along the International Border (IB) to prevent infiltration by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
The Border Security Force (BSF) is conducting search operations along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police in areas close to the IB in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts, where such tunnels have been detected in the past. Trained terrorists have previously used underground tunnels, allegedly constructed with the support of the Pakistani Army, to infiltrate into India.
A BSF official said that although anti-tunnelling drives are conducted regularly, they assume greater significance ahead of the Amarnath pilgrimage as terror groups based in Pakistan may attempt to infiltrate militants into the Indian side.
Security forces have also launched intensified operations in border areas to identify suspicious individuals who could pose a threat during the pilgrimage, when lakhs of devotees are expected to travel from Jammu to the holy cave shrine in Kashmir.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3, and the administration and security agencies have already completed extensive preparations.
As part of enhanced security measures and ongoing efforts to maintain peace and vigilance in the border belt, the police, in coordination with the BSF and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), conducted a joint long-range patrol in the Arnia sector along the IB on Friday.
“The patrol was carried out from Rathana to Salehar, Chak Jagtoo and adjoining areas with the objective of maintaining close surveillance over the border region, preventing anti-social activities and ensuring a visible security presence,” an official said.
The official added that the presence of police, CISF and BSF personnel instilled confidence among local residents while serving as a strong deterrent to criminal and anti-social elements.
Similar patrols were conducted in RS Pura, Bishnah and Miran Sahib, where police personnel carried out area domination exercises. “The operations covered sensitive locations, border villages, crowded public places, market areas, bus stands and other strategic points,” another official said.
During the operations, security personnel conducted intensive patrolling, vehicle checks, verification of suspicious persons and enhanced surveillance in vulnerable areas.
An official statement said the area domination exercises also focused on gathering ground-level intelligence, identifying potential security concerns and ensuring effective coordination among various security agencies deployed in the region.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jammu, Samba and Kathua Shridhar Patil chaired a briefing of all security personnel deployed for yatra duties.
During the briefing, he stressed the need for heightened vigilance, seamless coordination among all agencies and ensuring the safety of pilgrims throughout the yatra. Special emphasis was laid on strengthening the security grid, ensuring a prompt response to any contingency and maintaining close coordination among all forces deployed on the ground.
