Punjab Special DGP Arpit Shukla reviews border security

Punjab’s Special DGP Arpit Shukla on Monday visited the sensitive border belt to review security arrangements following the brutal killing of two police personnel — ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar — at the Adhian village police post under the Dorangla police station. The incident has raised serious questions over a possible intelligence failure.

The visit, covering the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran, is seen as both a damage-control measure and an effort to identify and plug potential intelligence gaps along the border.

Terming the Dorangla incident as unfortunate, Shukla said that while such incidents do occur, the police have responded effectively by cracking the cases and arresting the perpetrators. “Senior officials have been camping there, working on all possible theories, and arresting suspects,” he said, adding that operational details cannot be shared. The matter is being examined seriously using technical and scientific methods.

DGP holds meetings with senior BSF officials

Shukla highlighted that the Punjab Police are strengthening the second line of defence by increasing personnel. CCTV cameras are being installed across the entire border belt, from Fazilka to Pathankot.

He asserted that forces are working round the clock to bolster border security and prevent cross-border smuggling. Drugs and weapons smuggling via drones continues to be a significant challenge.

Highlighting recent achievements, Shukla said a substantial number of drones, foreign-made weapons and consignments of heroin smuggled from across the border have been seized, and several smugglers arrested as part of sustained crackdowns.

Responding to concerns about increasing workload on border police personnel, Shukla said that the state government is undertaking fresh recruitment drives to augment the force. “Available manpower is being reorganised and trained to effectively tackle emerging challenges,” he added.