Faizan Ahmad
Srinagar Dec 14 (KINS): Jammu and Kashmir police is reviewing its security measures and checking if there were any major security lapses owing to which militants managed to carry out a major attack in Zewan on Monday.
At least three cops died while 11 got injured in a militant attack at Zewan on Monday evening.
Many have questioned that police had not followed proper SOP resulting in militants managed to carry out this major attack.
Former Director General of Police J&K, S P Vaid said, “Whenever there is movement of a police contingent in Kashmir, its security is prepared through area domination. Usually there is heavy deployment of police. But what happened in Zewan is beyond comprehension. This looks like a big mistake,” Vaid said.
He said weapons should be there in this type of police party movement. “But there are reports that most of the policemen did not have weapons. There should be a protection party at the time of movement,” Vaid added.
A senior police official said that security agencies have decided to change their strategy while operating in the field. “The militants managed to carry out a major Zewan attack as there seems to be some lapses on part of security agencies,” the official told news agency KINS.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar said that three militants of Jaish-e-Muhammad including two foreigners and a local carried out Zewan attack.
The attack on a police bus in Zewan area on the outskirts of Srinagar city that claimed the lives of three cops was pre-planned as the armed police team was returning to camp at same time it usually did after performing routine duties, he said.
“The bus carrying 25 policemen was returning to the camp, as per routine, when three militantsof Jaish-e-Mohammad opened fire on the vehicle,” he said.
“This was a planned attack. They must have conducted recce and seen that the bus is coming back every day in routine after getting off duty,” he said.
The IGP lauded the police personnel, saying they retaliated and ensured that the militantsdid not succeed in snatching the weapons.
“One of the militantswas injured in the retaliatory fire and blood trail could be seen for quite some distance. They escaped towards Khrew. We are working on it,” he added.
Kumar said the militantstook advantage of darkness as the road leading to the police camp at Zewan was not well lit and the road opening party of security forces had left for the day.
IGP Kumar said police are maintaining high alert and cops requiring travel from one place to another will be provided bullet proof vehicles.
“We are taking all precautionary measures, including installation of lights on the road,” he added.
Director General of Police J&K Dilbagh Singh has said “the movement of militants has increased in Srinagar and surrounding areas, after which we have conducted 3-4 successful operations in the city in recent days”. (KINS)
