Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 30: Ahead of tomorrow’s rally by BJP Prime Ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, police late last night nabbed a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Mohammad Azam of Sabjian, Poonch at Jakhaini near Udhampur, who was on way to Jammu from Srinagar while cops were hunting a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative Makhanu Gujjar of Rajbagh, Kathua, who was part of another module, which had been assigned the task of targeting Modi’s high profile first ever rally in the State after his anointment as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate.
An unprecedented security cover has been thrown for Modi’s rally tomorrow following specific inputs that both Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT could try to target the rally. Nearly 4000 JKP and CRPF personnel, drawn from entire Jammu province, have been deployed to provide security cover to the rally and thousands of people, who were expected to attend it. Over 400 Close Circuit Television Sets (CCTVs) have been installed in the City.
Apart from armed uniformed men, over 1000 plainclothesmen of CID and police have been deployed in the city. The spotters, who had once been affiliated with militant outfits but were now working with security agencies, have been stationed at all entry gates to prevent any militant from gaining entry into the rally venue.
Administration has requested the Army to be standby while Army and CRPF Dog Squads have been pressed into service. Four DIGs, 16 SSPs and SP and 60 DySPs have been posted on duty in the entire City and outskirts while a mock drill was successfully conducted from the Technical Airport to MA Stadium, a route to be taken by Mr Modi tomorrow.
Sixteen commandos of National Security Guards (NSGs) have already landed here to provide security cover to Mr Modi while personal security of the Gujarat Chief Minister would reach along with him in a private jet at 11 am at Technical Airport tomorrow.
Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad accompanied by Additional DGP Security VK Singh, IGP Jammu Rajesh Kumar, IGP Gujarat and other senior police officers visited MA Stadium for third time in past five days today to ensure fool-proof arrangements of the security for the rally, which has sent security agencies into tizzy on two accounts-one to provide security cover to the VIP and second to tackle massive rush of the people, which was being anticipated at the venue of the rally.
“All contingency measures have been put in place. There would be foolproof security arrangements for Mr Modi and the people attending the rally,” police sources said, adding the Commandos and Quick Reaction Teams have been kept on alert.
They added that all security agencies in the State had been put on high alert for past three days after specific inputs surfaced about threat perception to the rally of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate from Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT outfits. The inputs pointed out that HM militant Mohammad Azam son of Mohammad Akbar Lone, a resident of Sabjian, Poonch and LeT operative Makhanu Gujjar of Rajbagh, Kathua had been assigned the task of targeting the BJP’s December 1 rally by their respective outfits. Both the militants were part of different modules.
Azam had been in Srinagar for past 20 days and visited Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Srinagar and Shopian to meet his handlers and get details of his target and the persons whom he had to approach in Jammu, Security agencies on entire Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had been put on high alert to nab Azam but he was frequently changing the vehicles to dodge the security personnel, sources said, adding finally he was apprehended at Jakhaini in Udhampur last night from a Tavera vehicle No. 8561 JK01S.
He was subjected to preliminary questioning and immediately handed over to Special Operations Group (SOG), Jammu to ascertain his contacts in Jammu and handlers in the Kashmir Valley. Some more arrests were on cards on the basis of his disclosures, sources said.
“Definitely, the militant was part of a Hizbul Mujahideen module to target Modi’s rally,” they said, adding that the LeT module, which was also plotting to strike at the rally was led by Makhanu Gujjar of Rajbagh, Kathua. Despite all out efforts, Makhanu Gujjar hasn’t been traced.
However, according to sources, police have made such heavy security arrangements for the rally venue that it would make it impossible for the militants to enter Jammu.
Sources said Mohammad Azam was arrested in Poonch in 2010 along with another militant and a Special Police Officer with a consignment of arms and explosives. He was facing trial in the case and was presently on bail.
Sources said the Border Security Force (BSF) has been put on high alert all along the International Border from Lakhanpur to Akhnoor sector to ensure that no successful infiltration takes place. Authorities have also asked the Army to remain standby in case of any eventuality.
Authorities have posted four DIGs-Vijay Singh Samyal, Jagjit Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Johnny Williams, 16 SSPs/SPs and 60 DySPs as Incharge of security for the rally by assigning them different areas. The police officers have already taken charge of the security.
More than 4000 CRPF and police personnel and 1000 plainclothesmen have been deployed for security of the rally venue and other places across the City and outskirts.
Main Tawi bridge and Fly Over will be closed for traffic from early tomorrow morning. Vehicle movement would be allowed only on Gujjar Nagar Tawi bridge and newly constructed Bhagwati Nagar Tawi bridge till the rally was over and the vehicles carrying the rallyists return from the parking slots. The Bus Stand has been vacated from all vehicles and visitors.
The police and CRPF personnel have taken positions atop houses around the MA Stadium.
Sources said police have hired 400 CCTVs and installed them in entire City and outskirts to guard the movement of undesirable elements. The CCTV footage was being watched regularly.
The BJP has kept the TV screens standby to install them outside the MA Stadium if no space was left at the rally venue.
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