Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Union Home Minister Rajnath today called for making coordinated and synergized efforts to root out terrorism and stressed on professional investigation of all terror-related incidents.
Chairing high-level meeting to review counter-terrorism strategy in his North Block office in New Delhi today, Rajnath reviewed security situation in the country with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir and stressed for zero tolerance for terrorism.
Rajnath is reported to have detailed discussion on security situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir including the borders and hinterland during which he was briefed by senior officials of the Home Ministry, present in the meeting.
Click here to watch videoAs the State police are first responder in any terror-related incident, Rajnath directed that an assessment of the capabilities of State police forces may be conducted. He emphasized on the need for cooperation with friendly countries for countering terrorism.
“Measures being undertaken for countering terrorism were reviewed and certain action areas including capacity building of various security agencies and the State police through specialized training programmes were identified,” sources said, adding that the strategy to curb terror financing and Fake Indian Currency Notes was also reviewed in the meeting.
Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir was also present at the meeting apart from senior officials of the Home Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government for review of security measures in place in the jails especially where dreaded militants have been lodged and deploy para-military Central Reserve Police Force for security of the jails, wherever required.
Taking serious note of the escape of a jailed Pakistani terrorist Naveed Jutt, the MHA has also asked the State Government to fully review security measures in place in jails and transportation of inmates especially during the trials in court and medical check-ups and confine movement of the militants to minimum possible.
The Union Home Ministry also asked the State Government to ensure that no such incident takes place in future and deploy CRPF in prison security.
“The Home Ministry has taken serious note of the issue and has advised the State Government to fully review security measures and take action to prevent such incidents in future,” sources said.
The move came following a high-level meeting which was convened after the escape of Pakistani terrorist Naveed Jutt, who was lodged in Srinagar central jail. Though a number of militants, who had helped Naveed Jutt to escape, were arrested yesterday, there was no major clue of Jutt so far. Police have launched searches in many areas to trace Naveed Jutt, who was a dreaded militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.
He fled from a hospital in the city after some militants shot and killed two policemen accompanying him.
Jutt was taken to the hospital for medical checkup.
Sources said there were 16 Pakistani prisoners still in Srinagar jail and, of them, seven could be shifted to Jammu jails and rest to other jails in Udhampur and Leh but after reviewing security of the jails, where they would be lodged.
The Home Ministry has asked the Jammu and Kashmir Government to fix responsibility for lapses and also to examine why a high-security prisoner was sent to the OPD of a hospital.
The official said the State Government has also issued instructions to immediately review security of hardened terrorists who are lodged in Srinagar central jail and they are expected to be moved out to other jails.
There were 16 Pakistani prisoners still in Srinagar jail, of whom seven are being shifted to Jammu and discussions are on where to shift the others.
The State Government has been asked to involve CRPF in all aspects of central jail security — not only perimeter security but also inside the prison.
Another official said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has assured the Central Government of taking necessary steps and reviewing the entire jail security.
Consequently, the State Government has transferred Director General of Prisons S K Mishra and appointed Dilbag Singh in his place.
The Srinagar jail Superintendent has been suspended and a high-level enquiry by the Divisional Commissioner ordered, the official said.
According to sources, the MHA wants fool-proof security cover for the Pakistani and other dreaded militants from one place to another especially from jails to courts, hospitals and other places.
Jammu and Kashmir Police and Prisons Department have been drafting strategy to ensure that Naveed Jutt like escape don’t take place in future.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
