Army chief reviews security situation at PHQ Jammu

Jammu, July 20: Jammu, witnessing spiralling terror activities, Saturday saw two back-to-back crucial high-level security review meetings – chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, separately to deliberate on disconcerting scenario and evolve an effective stratagem to take on “new challenges.”

According to the army's official statement, during a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor, the COAS, while discussing security dynamics, assured a synergetic approach by armed forces and security forces. In the high-level security review meeting chaired by Gen Dwivedi (at PHQ, Jammu), focus remained on thwarting the malevolent design of terrorists and anti national elements in the region.

As per official sources, the strategy evolved, during the first meeting chaired by Gen Dwivedi at PHQ Jammu, was three-pronged – effective plugging of infiltration routes bringing it (infiltration) to zero level; removal of operational flaws with perfect synergy among all security agencies and result-oriented counter-terrorism operations to wipe out terrorists and their eco-system in J&K.

Later in the evening, at Raj Bhawan, during the review meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor, the Army Chief and heads of other security agencies briefed him (LG Sinha) about the deliberations held in the earlier meet, steps being taken in counter insurgency operations, multifarious new challenges being faced and the counter-strategy.

Following briefing and reviewing security scenario, LG Sinha directed them to go full throttle to completely annihilate terrorism and their support system with synergised operations and 360 degree security grid in place to check infiltration.

The twin-meetings assumed special significance as they were convened two days after the crucial meet of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by Multi Agency Centre (MAC) functioning review meeting on July 19 by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the union capital.

This was Army Chief’s second visit to Jammu this month.

“Army Chief Gen Dwivedi had specifically come for the high-level security review meeting, to be participated by all security chiefs at Police Headquarter Jammu. Following the meeting, he was scheduled to meet the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan to brief him about the outcome of the (PHQ) meeting during one-on-one interaction. However, later as the schedule changed and LG Sinha chaired a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhawan in the evening, Gen Dwivedi participated in it along with the Chiefs of other security and intelligence agencies. Following it, he left for the union capital,” sources stated.

Gen Dwivedi had reached here at around 2.20 pm and directly drove to PHQ Jammu to chair the meeting, which was attended by chiefs of all security and intelligence agencies including IB chief Tapan Deka, RAW chief Ravi Sinha, Director Generals of BSF, CRPF, Director General of Police, J&K R R Swain, ADGP Law and Order Vijay Kumar, ADGP Jammu Anand Jain.

All DIGs and SSPs too attended the meeting, few in person and others virtually.

Later, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG-PI) summed up the itinerary of the Army Chief’s visit and his engagement in Jammu.

“General Upendra Dwivedi #COAS met Shri Manoj Sinha Hon'ble LG J&K today and deliberated on the prevailing security dynamics in the region. COAS assured the Hon'ble LG J&K on a synergetic approach by Armed Forces and Security Agencies to tackle the present situation and maintain peace and stability in the region,” it posted.

“General Upendra Dwivedi #COAS also chaired a high level ‘Joint Security Review Meeting’ at Jammu focusing on thwarting the malevolent design of terrorists & anti national elements in the region. All stakeholders from Security Forces and Intelligence Agencies, operating in UT of J&K, attended the same,” ADG-PI post read.

Earlier, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi had chaired a high level joint security review meeting at Nagrota, during his maiden visit to J&K on July 3, to deliberate on security dynamics in the Jammu region, mainly on the LoC.

The deliberations had focussed on the prevailing security dynamics in the region. The security review had underscored the imperative of synergy and seamless coordination between all armed forces and security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the region.

“Focus during today’s meeting was to deliberate on fast-changing security dynamics, assess operational preparedness and evolve an effective stratagem to take on “new challenges” posed by battle-hardened terrorists,” sources said.

“New challenge is multi-fold. New challenges are to find and destroy infiltration routes with effective plugging; to take on battle-hardened terrorists; their advanced weaponry and modern communication devices. It is suspected that among these well trained terrorists, there may be Pak army regulars,” they added.