Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 15: Director General Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, today said that excellent coordination between various security agencies has led to success for the security forces in Kashmir.
The DG CRPF while addressing a press conference here said that excellent coordination between various security agencies is the reason behind success of the security forces and in future such success will be achieved as well.
He said that the operations against the militants will continue like last year where major commanders of these militant outfits were eliminated. “Security forces achieved major successes last year and killed top commanders of militant outfits”, he said adding that future challenges will be dealt with excellent coordination and situation will be kept under control.
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Bhatnagar said that new challenges are being dealt accordingly. “We are alert and will remain so to foil any militant designs”, he said.
“Considering the present situation, I am sure that the coordination of different security forces will help us to achieve new feats and the operation will continue same way. CRPF is working with alertness and it will continue to operate same way”, he said.
The DG said: “A fidayeen attack attempted by the militants was negated by our brave and alert sentry, Ragunath Ghai. After that our QRT and other forces cordoned off the area and ensured the militants did not flee. While cordoning off the area one of our jawan Mujahid Khan lost his life. I pay tributes to his martyrdom. He has maintained the glorious traditions of bravery and sacrifice that CRPF is known for”.
“Being a residential area it was difficult to carry an operation there. But instead of all the difficulties we along with Jammu and Kashmir Police ensured there was no collateral damage and injuries to the civilians. The security forces killed the militants. I congratulate all the members of CRPF for eliminating both the militants. Last year also there has been lot of work in this regard and I want to congratulate my men for carrying out the successful operations”, said Bhatnagar.
The DG said that process of out of turn promotion of the sentry has been initiated. “The process for the out of turn promotion for the sentry has been started. In June last year the sentries negated a similar type of attack in another camp, they will also be provided promotions”, he added.
Bhatnagar said that the para-military force is taking care of the families of those who lay down their lives. “As per our martyrs and their families are considered there is a process in place to take care. It’s true the compensation varies in different states but several ways have been created to provide adequate compensation to the families of all martyrs”, he said.
“In one such initiate, Bharat Ka Veer, we have started new forum wherein Rs 25 crores have been accumulated and that money will be provided to the families as well. Apart from that the Central Government has its own ‘risk fund’ which takes care of families. We not only award them funds but also ensure yearly visits to their families. We have also installed their name plates in the schools and hold regular functions to inculcate patriotism in the future generation”, DG said.
The Sentry, Ragunath Ghai, who fired at the fidayeen and repulsed the attack on CRPF camp at Karan Nagar said: “At around 4:30 a.m, while performing my duty with alertness I saw two heavily armed militants heading towards the camp. It was snowing, visibility was low and it was hard for me to recognize them initially. But, when they approached near I saw them. Sighting them, I immediately challenged them and fired at them. Taking advance of the darkness they crawled, scaled the wall and entered into the nearby building. Camp was alerted and QRT and others took their position. The whole area was cordoned off and the operation was launched.”
“They were carrying weapons, wear long beards and looked like militants. They were moving towards the camp. Had they managed to enter into the camp, there would have been more fatalities. CRPF families were not there but quarter guards and mess employees were also there.”
The spokesman Rajesh Yadav said here that the DG CRPF today visited the Karan Nagar encounter site where he was briefed about the operation in which two militants were killed. “He was accompanied by S N Shrivastava ADG J&K ZONE CRPF, Sadanand Date IG Operations CRPF HQ and Ravideep Singh Sahi IG CRPF Srinagar Sector”, he said.
“Prior to that, in a very impressive function at RTC CRPF Humhama, Bhatnagar awarded DG’s Commendation Disc and Certificate to the brave officers and jawans who participated in various operations including the one at Karan Nagar”, he said.
“Jawans and QATs were awarded cash prizes including CT/GD Raghunath Gaite of 23 Bn CRPF, who foiled the attack. The Commanders of the various teams which successfully conducted the operation gave detail presentation”, he said.
He said that Bhatnagar applauded the gallant actions of the officers and jawans. He emphasised upon the need to be more alert and vigilant to boldly face the challenges in the days to come.
Meanwhile militants tonight attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp at Panzgam in Awantipora township of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Militants opened fire on CRPF camp near Railway Station Awantipora at around 8:00 pm. The CRPF fired few rounds in retaliation and the exchange of fire lasted few minutes. However, no loss of life or injury was reported on either side.
Following the attack, Police, Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF rushed to the spot and conducted searches of the area.
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