A high-security alert has been issued in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of recent terror attacks in Pakistan, including the killing of a top commander of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), officials said on Tuesday. All protected persons, including politicians, have been advised to remain alert and strictly follow security protocols for their safety, security establishment officials said.
They said security forces have been directed to maintain strict surveillance and "extraordinary" vigilance to thwart any attack by anti-national elements, especially on soft targets, by intensifying patrolling and search operations in the area.
The security alert has been issued after several recent terror attacks, including train hijacking in Balochistan and the killing of top Lashkar commander Zia-ur-Rehman alias Nadeem alias Abu Qatal alias Qatal Sindhi, officials said.
Rehman, wanted by Indian security agencies for several deadly terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the killing of seven civilians in Rajouri in January 2023 and nine pilgrims in Reasi in June 2024, was killed along with his bodyguard in an attack by gunmen in Jhelum area of Pakistan's Punjab province on Saturday evening. Rehman, believed to be the most trusted handler of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, had infiltrated into the Jammu region in the early 2000s and fled back to Pakistan in 2005. He had a large network of overground workers (OWGs) in Poonch and Rajouri through his old contacts, officials said.
Citing intelligence inputs, the officials have pointed to the possibility of a 'wolf attack' or targeted attack on a protected person by the militants to avenge the killing of their commander and the anniversary of 'Jang-e-Badr', a significant military victory led by Prophet Muhammad in 624 AD (17th Ramzan, 2 AH) near the town of Badr in Saudi Arabia. Officials said an advisory has been issued to all protected persons, who have been asked to give their tour schedules well in advance to the security control room or district senior superintendents of police to make arrangements with the concerned agencies. They have been asked to avoid making last minute changes in their tour schedules and visit terror-affected areas only on days when road opening teams are deployed, the officials said. They have also been advised against visiting any area after sunset or changing previously scheduled routes, they said. The protected persons have been asked to keep their schedules secret and move around with their personal security officers, who should be allowed to move only after getting replacements, the officials said. He said that in the advisory, the protected persons have been requested to avoid attending public meetings at crowded or sensitive places for the time being and not to get out of their vehicles unnecessarily until adequate security cover is in place. Officials said that the protected persons have also been told not to come out to welcome the guests without knowing their identity. He said that they have been asked to immediately inform the security personnel if they see anything suspicious. Officials said that as a precaution, security has been increased around important institutions.