Pak border is not yet well-guarded: J-K Guv

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 19

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra today said the Pathankot terror strike could have been prevented had lessons been learnt from previous attacks, with focus on securing the International Border with Pakistan, which is not yet “well-guarded”.

He was delivering the keynote address on “National Security Management: Some Concerns” at a function  to mark the 7th Raising Day of the National Investigation Agency, where Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest. 

Vohra said the Border Security Force, with its limited capacities, could not effectively guard the International Border (in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab), a long stretch of 200-250 km.

The Governor said the attack on the Dinanagar police station could have been avoided had the five-six terror attacks that took place after September 2013 through the International Border via Kathua been followed up as closely as the Pathankot attack by the NIA.

He said this while responding to a question on the reluctance of the Punjab Government in handing over the Dinanagar police station attack probe to the NIA.

Vohra suggested that a separate ministry should be carved out from the Home Ministry to deal with incidents concerning the national security and a separate cadre of officials trained in handling such situations be raised to man the proposed ministry.

He asserted that standard operating procedures be followed strictly and duties of police, paramilitary, specialised forces and Army be well-defined to avoid waste of time in gathering evidence for prosecution.

Meanwhile, admitting the need for further “strengthening and empowering” the NIA , Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government was committed to providing all help to the anti-terror probe agency.

He said more NIA offices were being set up across the country and would be equipped with hi-tech gadgetry. “India stands at the forefront of the global efforts to combat terrorism and is a signatory to all international treaties on anti-terrorism. Despite several onslaughts upon us, our integrity and sovereignty has remained intact,” said Singh.