‘We Have Travelled A Long Way To Strengthen Peace In J&K’
Srinagar, Oct 21 (GNS): 1568 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police have been killed while fighting militancy since 1989, DGP Dilbag Singh said on Wednesday.
Referring to the killing of Inspector Mohammed Ashraf Bhat in Anantnag on October 19 evening, he said those behind the act will be given a befitting response.
“This is the action that demonstrates the nefarious intentions of the enemy. In a situation when an official goes home to meet his family after fulfilling his responsibilities, he is targeted. We will give a befitting reply to it, but it is a nefarious action,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day at Zewan in the outskirts of the Srinagar here.
The top police officer said the people have condemned such killings and expressed sympathies with the policemen.
He said when they went to the house of the inspector who was killed in Anantnag district on Monday, a huge number of people sympathised with the police and “cursed the perpetrators.”
“I think their actions will result in their end,” the DGP added.
Singh said the number of casualties of security personnel was lower this year than the last year.
“I think it is a relief for us that we have minimised the loss of security forces’ lives while fulfilling our duties,” he said.
Responding to a question, he said the security forces will intensify anti-militancy operations in the coming days.
Earlier, in his address to the policemen, the DGP said that since 1989, 1568 personnel from JKP were killed while fighting militancy and protecting the interests of people.
“From September 1, 2019 to October 31 2020, 40 security forces personnel, including 14 policemen, were killed in militancy and other violence related incidents in the J&K,” the DGP said.
The Police Commemoration Day is observed since October 21, 1959 when ten CRPF men lost their lives fighting Chinese forces in Ladakh.
“We have travelled a long way to strengthen the peace in Jammu and Kashmir and this is time when we have to advance the mission with more dedication so that a long-lasting peace is ensured here.”
The DGP said that the forces working with J&K Police faced various challenges but they stood the ground and overcame these challenges with fortitude. He said that work of J&K Police is being acknowledged at different levels and that the Prime Minister of India and Home Minister of India have time and again appreciated the peace efforts of J&K Police and other security forces working in J&K.
He also thanked the Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha and his advisors, Chief Secretary J&K, civil, police and security forces officers, personnel, media persons for attending the commemoration function.
“This day is very sacred occasion for all of us as we are remembering the martyrdom of those brave hearts who sacrificed their precious lives for safeguarding the integrity and sovereignty of the nation and for protecting the dignity, life & property of our own people.” (GNS)