J&K POLICE TO GET DRONES FOR SURVEILLANCE
50 UAVs to be bought, procurement process is expected to be completed this month
Jammu and Kashmir police are set to buy 50 more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones to increase surveillance and thwart possible protests and movement of terrorists, said senior officials familiar with the matter. The police force, which has a fleet of around two dozen drones, has its task cut out ever since the Centre stripped J&K of its special status and split the state into two union territories on August 5 & 6. The officials said the drones would be procured within a month.
:To keep an eye on protesters and movement of militants in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Police is planning to acquire the latest UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) or drones in one of the biggest procurements for security agencies. The proposal has already been approved by the ministry of home affairs.
Officials privy to details of procurements told HT that more than 50 UAVs will be purchased and tenders have been floated by the procurement wing of the J&K police. The process is expected to be completed this month.
“We have floated tenders for UAV purchase. After completion of the process, J&K police will get UAVs,” said a senior police official, requesting anonymity. He, however, refused to give further details about it.
As per police specifications, the UAVs or drones will be of the latest category 3 and will be equipped with technology required by the police in Kashmir, in view of the terrain and mountainous region.
Besides dealing in law and order, the J&K police is also involved in anti-militancy operations for which they sought assistance from army units.
Officials said after the procurement of drones the J&K police will become more tech savvy especially in Kashmir. After abrogation of Article 370, security agencies fear there will be an increase in militant activities and a small incident could trigger protests.
Though the Jammu and Kashmir police have been using UAVs, however, after bulk procurements they can be given to different police districts to make them better equipped to tackle anti-militancy operations and protests.
The Indian Army has already been using the UAVs in different parts of the Valley and on the Line of Control to track militant movements in forest areas or near the border.
The army has also used small drones during encounters, especially in south Kashmir, where frequent encounters have taken place since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
According to sources, after procurement of drones, a batch of officials will be trained by experts to operate them.
After restrictions were imposed in the Valley on August 5, security forces used small UAVs and helicopters to keep an eye on the situation and to notice whether people were converging at various places for protests. The reports were flashed to the control room where senior officials of the police, army and the CRPF kept a watch.
According to police, more than 190 law and order incidents took place in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370.
Additional director general of police (law and order) Muneer Khan said the issue of UAVs is handled by police headquarters. “I will not be able to comment on it,” he said.