Working to boost intel, morale among troops is very high: CRPF chief

CRPF chief Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar tells TOI’s Neeraj Chauhan the force has decided to enhance its IED detection and intelligence capabilities following the Pulwama attack. He says the force is working on a new SOP with other agencies as the February 14 attackers had a different modus operandi, Excerpts:

Post-Pulwama, what are your plans to make troopers secure?

A lot has already happened in the last few years. We have enhanced camp security, the government has provided us with bullet-proof jackets, vehicles, weapons and technical equipment. But since IEDs have become a problem, every CRPF battalion in J&K will now have a BDDS (bomb detection and disposal squad). About 250 men are being trained in IED detection. J&K police officers are also being trained at our IED institute in Pune. Subsequently, we will get mine-protected vehicles .

Any p lans to make convoy movements safer without causing inconvenience to civilian traffic?

We are working on this with all stakeholders, including J&K police, Army and intelligence agencies. Certain drills are being developed for vehicle-borne IED attack.

Convoys will move in a way that civilian traffic is least disturbed. In fact, several convoys have moved on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in the last 10 days without any hassle. One way could be to divert civilian traffic to the old highway while we move on the new one.

What a re the findings of the court of enquiry into the Pulwama incident to see if there were any lapses on CRPF's part?

There was no deviation from the standard operating procedure. Nonetheless, we are working on a new SOP with other agencies as the February 14 attack had a different modus operandi.

Lok Sabha elections and the Amarnath Yatra are coming up. Are arrangements in place?

We are fully prepared. CRPF is a fighting force and morale among troops is very high. Terrorists won't be allowed to disturb the peace.

What are you doing for the families of martyrs?

We are developing a centralised system through an app, where our headquarters can directly and constantly help the families with advice related to education and finances, help in getting government work done, and even finding jobs. For example, the wife of commandant Pramod Kumar, who died fighting terrorists in J&K in 2016, got a lecturer's job in Jharkhand through CRPF's efforts.