Terrorists not present in Jammu only, Baramulla still vulnerable: SSP

Srinagar, Apr 17: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Gurinderpal Singh, on Thursday said that terrorist activities in the district have not completely ceased, and cross-border drug smuggling remains a pressing concern for the security agencies.
SSP Singh while responding to a query said, “It’s not that terrorists are present only in Jammu. We continue to receive daily intelligence inputs about terrorist movements in Baramulla, especially due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC).”
He said the threat has not entirely vanished and security forces remain alert.
“We are privy to the fact that the danger is not gone. We have not lowered our guard, nor have we reduced our efforts in tracking down the terrorists who are still present,” he said.
The SSP further stated that the security agencies are working in close coordination and continuing their operations with full intensity. “We are working with 100% synergy and commitment to catch these terrorists and prevent any possible acts of violence,” he added.
Addressing the issue of cross-border drug smuggling, SSP Singh said that security forces have intensified their surveillance to ensure drugs don’t find a way into Baramulla. He revealed that there are around 1,600 families in the district with relatives across the LoC, and among them, approximately 100 families have been found to have some level of involvement in smuggling or aiding infiltrators.
“We are keeping a close watch on these families. Out of the 100, five have been identified as being actively involved in smuggling contraband, weapons, or facilitating infiltration. We have already registered cases against them and their properties are being attached,” the SSP said.
He issued a stern warning to those involved: “It’s okay to have relations and interactions with your kin across the LoC, but once you engage in illegal activities, we are after you. If someone thinks the Indian legal system won’t reach across, they must know that those aiding such acts from this side will face strict legal action.”
The SSP said that apart from the police, intelligence agencies are also working to track drug movements. Preventive detentions are being carried out based on inputs to stop the inflow of drugs at the initial stage. “If drugs do manage to slip through, then the legal process follows—FIRs are lodged, and action is taken under laws such as the PIT-NDPS Act,” he said.
The district police, he emphasized, are committed to tackling both militancy and narco-terrorism with a zero-tolerance approach. (KNO)