Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] : In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and multiple incidents of unprovoked small arms firing by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), security has been heightened across Jammu and Kashmir. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday cautioned authorities to ensure innocent locals are not adversely impacted by the intensified security measures.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah emphasized that while efforts to nab the terrorists responsible for the attack are essential, it is equally important to safeguard civil liberties. “We all understand the situation here, we cannot ignore it or refuse its existence, but we must look into it so that we don’t affect the innocent people of Jammu & Kashmir in our efforts to catch those who were involved in the Pahalgam attack,” he said.
“It should not look like that to catch a few perpetrators, we are arresting multiple locals. We need to be careful and take steps logically,” he added, urging a balanced approach from security agencies.
Visuals from Poonch and Rajouri districts showed police and paramilitary forces conducting random vehicle checks, verifying identification documents, and inspecting bags. Security checkpoints have been established across key roads in the region.
In a related development, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has instructed all states and Union Territories to conduct civil defence mock drills to strengthen emergency preparedness. In Srinagar, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) performed a mock drill simulating a boat capsize scenario at Dal Lake.
“Yesterday we received an order to do a mock drill regarding boat capsize. We are here following that MHA order,” said Arif Hussain, an SDRF personnel.
Earlier in the day, top officials including the Director Generals of Civil Defence and NDRF participated in a key meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to oversee nationwide civil defence exercises scheduled for May 7.
With both internal security and external threats under scrutiny, the region remains on high alert, as leaders and agencies aim to balance safety with civil rights.