Terrorism: Azad calls for permanent security deployment in Rajouri-Poonch border areas

STATE TIMES NEWS

Rajouri: Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday called for permanent deployment of security forces in the terror-hit Rajouri-Poonch border area and strengthening of the intelligence network and village defence committees in the region.
Azad said he will take up the issue with the Defence Minister and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant governor.
Seven people were killed and 14 injured in a terror attack in Dhangri village in Rajouri on January 1. Five people, including two brothers, were killed when terrorists opened fire at house. The very next day two more children were killed when an IED left behind by the attackers went off.
“It is a matter of concern that the incidents are taking place in Rajouri district as the majority of other areas are peaceful. There is fear and terror here”, Azad told a reporters here.
“There is a need to strengthen VDCs. There is a need for the security forces, which should be permanent here in this entire region. It has ridges and valley. It is a border area. There is a need for strengthening intelligence – both local and army, police intelligence too, so that such incidents are not repeated,” Azad said.
Azad, who was approached by locals with demands of gun licences and security increase, said it was unfortunate that the area was struck by terror every month.
“I have told people I will take up the matter with the defence minister. There should be a strong security network here so that no one comes from outside and escapes after engineering an attack,” he said.
Azad visited the terror victim families and expressed his grief over the tragedy that struck them and unequivocally condemned the heinous act against humanity.
He described the Dangri terror attack as a wakeup call for all people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying it shall unite us irrespective of our religious and regional beliefs to defeat it.
“The barbaric act of terrorism which took precious lives deserves the condemnation in strongest words. But at the same time, such acts warrant our unity above the case, creed and religion to fight it back in equal force,” he said.
Azad said while many senior party leaders visited the Dhangri terror victim families and those injured in hospital, he couldn’t make it since he was not keeping well.
Azad said that when he was the Union Health Minister, he sanctioned Medical College for the district, and did several developmental works as Chief Minister.
He said such more initiatives are required to take to uplift the landlocked region and connect it with the rest for country.
“If our party comes to power, I assure you many such developmental works will take place. Because for me serving humanity is the only priority and that too without discrimination,” he said.
Azad, however, termed the spurt in terror attacks in the region as alarming and said that security of people should be the priority of government.
Azad also met various delegations from Nowshera, Sunderbani, and other areas and sought their opinion to strengthen the party cadre.
He said given the poor governance on ground, the people are opposing the local admiration and want elected government in place after elections.
Among others who were present on the occasion were Chief Spokesperson Salman Nizami, Ashok Sharma Ex MLA and Provincial Vice President, Riyaz Bashir Naaz DDC and Secretary, Ch Imran Zaffar DDC and Spokesperson, Choudhary Masood Secretary and WC Member, Zahid Malik Zonal President, Sushil Sharma Distt President, Arun Sharma BDC Chairman, Rajinder Prasad Secretary, Lovely Gupta Secretary, Khurshid Janam Spokesperson Zone and others.