Punjab steps up security after Pahalgam terror attack; CM chairs high-level meeting
PTC Web Desk: Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convened a high-level security meeting at his residence on Wednesday. During the meeting, multiple security aspects were discussed as Punjab remains on high alert.
The Punjab Police have intensified security across all tourist destinations. Both uniformed and plainclothes officials have been deployed at key locations. Efforts are also underway to safely bring back tourists from Punjab who are currently stranded in Jammu & Kashmir. The Punjab Government is actively coordinating with the Jammu & Kashmir administration and the police to facilitate their return, with a plan to bring them back via Pathankot.
The Punjab DGP said the state was preparing to launch an anti-drone system soon, as drones had increasingly become a tool for cross-border terrorism. "Pakistan is engaging in proxy warfare using drones," he said.
CM Bhagwant Mann said there was a growing nexus among terrorists, gangsters, and drug traffickers. These groups were using drones to smuggle heroin, weapons, and money. However, he noted that the state's ongoing campaign against narcotics had led to a significant decline in such activities.
CM Mann raised concerns about domestic drones being used to smuggle items from across the border. “Some drones found were manufactured in India, sent across, and then returned with contraband,” he said. He also pointed out the unchecked use of drones in public events like weddings and rallies.
The Chief Minister called on the Central Government to formulate a comprehensive drone policy that includes identification and registration of drone owners. “If we need multiple documents to get a SIM card, why is it so easy to obtain a drone?” he questioned.
CM Mann also announced intensified action against those involved in drug trafficking. “Cases will be registered under the NDPS Act, and with proper permissions, the properties of offenders will be demolished using bulldozers,” he said.
The meeting also held significance due to Punjab's geographical proximity to both Pakistan and Jammu & Kashmir. The terror attack site in Pahalgam is just 297 km from Pathankot, which hosts major Indian military installations, including an airbase.
- PTC NEWS
