Security stepped up in Pathankot after Pahalgam attack

Security has been tightened at Madhopur along the Punjab-J&K border following the terror attack in Pahalgam. Personnel of the Punjab Police and Central agencies have been deployed in the area.

The Pathankot police have established several checkpoints along the Pathankot-Jammu national highway, checking all vehicles thoroughly. As the news of the Pahalgam incident spread, senior officials of the Pathankot police reached Madhopur and chalked out elaborate arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident takes place there.

The police are working on the theory that the suspects may have entered the city or its surrounding areas.

The Army, BSF, anti-sabotage teams of the Punjab Police and Special Operations Group (SOG) squads have also been deployed there.

The SOG is a highly specialised tactical unit within the police force that concentrates on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and high-risk operations.

SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon said heavy deployment was the need of the hour.

Joint quick response teams (QRT) of the Army and the Punjab Police have been asked to maintain their presence along the border.

In all, 340 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed in the district, 100 of these along the interstate border. Dog squads have also been pressed into service. Special vigil is being maintained at railway stations and the bus stands.

Pathankot is considered to be a sensitive district as it is the gateway to J&K and Himachal. A majority of the road traffic going to these two states from this area passes through the city. In January, 2016, four Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists entered the highly secure Air Force base from the rear gate. All four were gunned down by NSG commandos who had to be flown in from Delhi to combat the militants.

Punjab