Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Punjab Police boost 2nd line of defence along border

‘ALERT SOUNDED’ Heightened movement witnessed with cops patrolling border area in LMGmounted vehicles

- Aseem Bassi aseem.bassi@hindustant­imes.com

AMRITSAR: Moving forward to strengthen the second line of defence along the India-Pakistan border, Punjab Police have deployed additional force that is patrolling the area in light machinegun-mounted vehicles, equipped with night-vision devices.

We are fully prepared. We have bulletproo­f Scorpios, tractors, nightvisio­n devices and bulletproo­f nakas. Also, additional police personnel have been deployed near the border. NAUNIHAL SINGH, IG (border range)

Moving forward to strengthen the second line of defence along the India-Pakistan border, the Punjab Police have deployed additional force that is patrolling the area in light machine gun (LMG)-mounted vehicles, equipped with night-vision devices.

Sources said an alert has been sounded along the border recently. Though top police officials are silent over the alert, they assert the force is now fully prepared as a second line of defence and better equipped to counter any challenge, as compared to its preparedne­ss at the time of terror attack in Dinanagar two years ago.

The border belt from Pathankot to Amritsar is witnessing a sudden spurt in movement of the Punjab Police personnel these days. Additional dirctor general of police (ADGPborder) Harpreet Singh Sidhu is currently on tour in the border region to inspect the security arrangemen­ts being put in place.

Other senior police officials, including inspector general (IG-border), deputy inspector general (DIG) and senior superinten­dents of police (SSPs) of border districts are also making regular visits to the border.

It is also learnt that security forces are on alert due to rainy season as anti-national elements may use water channels to sneak into the Indian territory.

An HT team that visited the region spotted heightened movement of police vehicles patrolling on roads leading to the border. At some places, newly acquired bullet-proof Scorpios and tractors are also stationed.

Talking to HT on the police preparedne­ss as the second line of defence along the border, IG (border range) Naunihal Singh said, “We are fully prepared. We have bullet-proof Scorpios, tractors, night-vision devices and bullet-proof nakas. Also, additional police personnel have been deployed near the border. All the key establishm­ents along the border are covered.”

He added, “We are also writing to the government for more additional forces that can be deployed in the to boost the second line of defence.”

Asked if a specific alert has been sounded along the border, the IG said, “Alerts are often sounded in the border region. These alerts can be with regard to smuggling activities as well. ADGP (border) is himself visiting the area to see the police arrangemen­ts along the border.”

To a question, he said the Punjab Police are now definitely better equipped to take on any challenge than they were at the time of Dinanagar attack.

Notably, after the Dinanagar attack in July 2015, then deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal had said the police will prepare itself as second line of defence along the border.

 ?? SAMEER SEHGAL/HT ?? A vehicle equipped with a light machine gun deployed near a border village in Amritsar on Saturday; and (below) cops keeping a vigil at a naka in the region.
SAMEER SEHGAL/HT A vehicle equipped with a light machine gun deployed near a border village in Amritsar on Saturday; and (below) cops keeping a vigil at a naka in the region.
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