RAJOURI/JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday night said an in-depth probe will be conducted into the “security lapses” in the wake of twin terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.
Sinha chaired a security review meeting with top officials from police, Army and CAPFs in Rajouri and called for a detailed probe into the terror attacks that took place in Dhangri village.
DGP Dilbag Singh; ACS, Home, R K Goyal; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; ADGP Jammu; and leaders of various political parties were present in the meeting, which was also attended by the families of the victims and the village sarpanch.
In an apparent security lapse, two cousins — aged four and 16 — were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in Dhangri village in Rajouri area on Monday, 14 hours after terrorists had shot dead four people there.
The terrorists, locals claimed, had planted the IED on Sunday itself and it was missed during the scanning by police and security officials who had cordoned off the area after the shootings last evening.
“Some people raised the issue of security lapses, an inquiry will be conducted to find out (whether there were any such lapses). On the basis of inquiry, action will be taken,” Sinha told reporters.
He said the Army was also conducting operations in the area and “we will try to take strong action in days to come in this area”.
The LG said “two to three decisions were taken” in the meeting.
We will settle scores with those involved in this act, he added.
Asked whether the administration will set up security posts in villages for the security of minorities, he said whatever measures will be required, will be taken.
Sinha also asserted that the administration would strengthen village defence committees (VDCs). The VDCs set up in mid-1990s have proved a stone wall defence against terrorism in remote hilly areas of the Jammu region, according to officials.
Earlier, the families of the victims had refused to conduct the last rites of the victims till the Lt Governor came to the spot.
After Sinha visited them, they ended the protest and shifted the six bodies from Dhangri chowk to a government higher secondary school for the night so as carry out their cremation on Tuesday.
Sinha said that the administration was committed to look after the needs and issues of the families as well as the people of the district.
The LG also held a meeting with the sarpanch of Dangri village, DDC and BDC members and the families of victims, sources said.
“We have given full freedom to the security forces and I want to assure the people that the perpetrators of this attack will be punished soon. Terrorists will have to pay a very heavy price for this despicable attack. It is our firm resolve to crush terrorists and terror ecosystem,” Sinha said.
He also said VDCs will be strengthened immediately.
The Lt Governor also announced Rs 10 lakh each and a government job to the next of the kin of the deceased. (PTI)