Lasker, Jaish behind weapons, narcotics dropped by drones in J&K: DGP

JAMMU: Asserting that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfits are behind the dropping of arms, IEDs and narcotics by drones in Jammu and Kashmir, the Director-General of Police (DGP) J&K Dilbag Singh said on Friday that the time has come to defeat and reject terrorism to usher in peace and development in the Union Territory.
Counter-insurgency operations would be further speeded up to wipe out terrorism, while efforts are on to further strengthen security arrangements to counter the threat posed by the drones, especially in the aftermath of the recent attack on the Indian Air Force base in Jammu, the top J&K police brass DGP Singh said while talking to reporters after the attestation-cum-passing-out parade of the 27th Basic Recruitment Training Course (BRTC) in Kathua district here today.
DGP Singh said that LeT's hand is suspected behind the twin drone strikes inside the IAF station, Jammu in the early hours of Sunday.
"The investigation [in the IAF Station bombing is in progress, DGP Singh said, adding, “We (police) have not reached any conclusive stage to say who is actually involved but now that we have a history of Lashkar using drones to drop weapons, narcotics on this site beside the ready-made Improvised Explosive Devices to be planted at various locations.”
Referring to the arrest of a terrorist with 5.5 kgs of IED in Jammu, he said a module was busted which was planning to carry out an IED explosion at a crowded place to cause a large number of casualties.
The IED came and was sent from the LeT handler from the Pakistan side, DGP said.
Further DGP Singh complimented the security agencies and Jammu police for the successful operation of thwarting the attempt before the IED could be planted.
Describing drones as a major security threat, DGB Singh said that the use of drones by anti-national elements, terrorists to drop weapons and IEDs is a threat and we are taking counter steps.
About recruitment of local youth in terrorist ranks in the valley, he said the recruitment is taking place but it is much less than the earlier.
When asked about the rise in encounters between security forces and terrorists in the valley, the DGP briefly said ‘more encounters will take place.’
“Terrorists will be finished and so operations are being further intensified against them,” he said.
About the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, DGP said, “There is a lull on that count as there is no ceasefire violation reported as of now."