High alert over possible attacks by Pak-based terror groups

01/10/2016

NEW DELHI, Sep 30: The Centre today issued a country- wide alert asking states to step up vigil to foil any attempt by Pakistan-based terror groups to avenge the surgical strike on their launch pads in PoK even as Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed security situation along the Indo-Pak border.
Security agencies were also apprehending stepped up action by militants currently operating in Jammu and Kashmir targeting security forces and civilians following yesterday's surgical strike by special forces of the Army on seven terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK).
Security was strengthened at vital installations across Punjab and a high alert has been sounded at all airbases across the state while evacuation of people residing in villages along the International Border continued.
During the hour-long meeting with the country's top security brass, Singh instructed the officials to ensure that the forces posted along the border remain on alert as the situation along the Indo-Pak border continues to be volatile, official sources said.
The Army, meanwhile, trashed reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of the special forces received minor injury during exfiltration but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action.
The operation was a clinically planned one and the attack on the seven launch pads were carried out simultaneously, sources said.
The sources said it was a moonless night and total darkness helped the special forces bring in the element of surprise with total effectiveness.
It has been estimated that casualties was at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation.
Choppers also hovered over several sectors on the Indian side of the LoC to divert attention of the Pakistani security forces guarding various posts.
There were unconfirmed reports that the operation has been videographed using drones. There have been satellite images of the operation as well, the sources said.
In an advisory, the Home Ministry conveyed to the states that additional forces should be deployed in all sensitive places, strategic installations, markets, religious places and other key places to ensure security, the sources said keeping in mind the upcoming festive season.
Metro cities were particularly asked to be extra vigilant.
States touching the border with Pakistan -- Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat -- were also directed to remain vigilant.
Sources said there is high probability that Pakistani agencies may try to use the terror groups to carry out strike in Indian soil to avenge the attack.
The country's top security brass briefed the Home Minister about the situation along the border and steps being taken to foil any Pakistani design to attack BSF posts besides safety of civilian population living in forward areas.
Those who attended the meeting include National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and top officials of security and intelligence agencies.
BSF, which comes under the Home Ministry, has already put all its units along the Indo-Pak border on "high alert".
Orders have been issued to all its units along IB in Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat to step up vigil and bolster their numbers at the posts by bringing in all personnel who are in the reserve.
BSF has also restricted all civilian movement along borders with Pakistan. The border guarding force has also been asked by the Home Ministry to provide manpower to local administration for helping in evacuating people from border villages to safer locations.
Security agencies are apprehensive that militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir may step up attacks against security forces and civilians following the surgical strike conducted by the Army targeting terror launch pads in PoK.
Quoting intelligence inputs, government sources said there is high probability of terror attacks being carried out by militants who have already sneaked into Jammu and Kashmir following instructions from their masters based in Pakistan.
These attacks may target mostly security forces serving in the Kashmir Valley and civilian areas in Jammu region.
"We have put security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on high alert and asked them to be extra vigilant taking into account the prevailing situation," a source said.
There have been reports that after yesterday's operation, some terror camps along LoC were shifted to deep inside the PoK, sources said quoting intelligence inputs.
They said evacuation of civilians in some areas in Jammu and Kashmir and in Punjab has been done and they will not return till the situation becomes normal.
The sources also said the Indian soldier, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan, could be a "deserter" as he walked out of a group of soldiers and strayed into the Pakistani territory.
Army sources had said yesterday that "one soldier from 37 RR with weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline."
Government has already issued a country-wide alert asking the states to heighten vigil to foil any attempt by Pakistan-based terror groups to carry out attacks amid apprehensions of backlash by terrorists.
India carried out 'surgical strikes' on terror launch pads across LoC on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists and those who are trying to support them.
The announcement of the sudden action by the Army was made yesterday by DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, 11 days after the terror strike by Pakistan-based JeM on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Kashmir which left 19 Indian soldiers dead.

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