GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL
SHYAM SOOD
RAJOURI JULY 01:–Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mendhar in Poonch district in a circular issued on Monday has advised people not to visit forest areas at night wearing blankets & shawls without prior permission/approval from Army or police.
The decision was taken on the direction from Army authorities claiming that some many civilians used to visit/roam in forest areas and fields during night hours wearing shawls and blankets.
Reliable sources said that there are apprehensions that hard core OGWs taking advantage of darkness are likely engaged in felicitating the movement of terrorists and providing them food & shelter by taking advantage of darkness.
Latest glaring example is of Hakim Khan @ Hakim Din r/o Sunderbani who admitted to have provided food, shelter to 3 terrorists who attacked pilgrims’ bus in Reasi district without being noticed by the intelligence agencies, security forces.
SDM Mendhar in a circular issued today said that various security agencies aften launch/search operations in the forest areas along LoC during odd hours to combat any anti-infiltration/anti-social activities by miscreants.
“The general public is hereby informed through this circular that no person wearing shawls/blankets etc without seeking permission fro concerned Army/police authorities shall visit/roam in the forest areas during late/night hours from 9 pm to 4 am in order to avoid any misshaping/untoward incident.” Read SDM Mendhar circular.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the last week of June Army has detained three suspicious persons from ‘Dhokes’ (pastures) in Pir Panjal region, including two from Mendhar tehsil.
Security Forces are at highest alert in both the border districts of Rajouri & Poonch in the wake of terrorists’ attack on Indian Air Force convoy and Army convoy (in Poonch district) and an attack on a bus in Reasi district carrying pilgrims from UP & Rajasthan.
No contact has been established with the perpetrators of these terror attacks till date.
It is pertinent to mention here that according to senior most Police & Army officers 3-4 groups of highly trained Pakistani terrorists are camping near LoC opposite to Rajouri & Poonch districts and those already operating in these districts may disturb the forthcoming Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra situated in Mandi tehsil of Poonch district.