With eye on border districts, surveillance up ahead of I-Day

Ahead of the Independence Day, the Punjab Police have shifted their focus from responding to security incidents to preventing them, with heightened surveillance, proactive policing and tighter coordination across the border belt forming the core of its security strategy.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Monday reviewed the security preparedness of the Amritsar Commissionerate and Border Range, covering Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Batala, with emphasis on the sensitive border districts and vulnerable locations.

The meeting assumed significance amid heightened security concerns along the International Border and the approaching Independence Day.

Senior police officials were directed to intensify preventive measures, strengthen surveillance and patrolling, and maintain a close watch on sensitive locations, vital installations and major public congregation points.

They were asked to adopt a “prevention first” approach, with field units directed to identify potential vulnerabilities and take corrective measures before any incident takes place.

Crowd management, surveillance of vulnerable spots, security of vital installations and the ability of different units to mount a swift and coordinated response in an emergency were among the key issues reviewed during the meeting.

The exercise assumes added importance in Amritsar, a border city that houses major religious shrines, tourist destinations, busy public spaces and strategically important installations, besides being located close to the international border. Officials were also directed to coordinate with various units, share intelligence promptly and continuously assess emerging threats. Patrolling has been stepped up in sensitive areas.

Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill, besides senior officials of the Amritsar Commissionerate and districts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Batala and Amritsar Rural, attended the review meeting.