Drone alert in 3 police dists

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur/Pathankot, October 11

A police operation is underway in the border police districts of Gurdaspur, Batala and Pathankot with 2,485 cops from the PAP asked to augment the force. An officer said they had inputs on the likelihood of more drones carrying arms entering the state.

A letter by ADGP (Law and Order) has asked the police to “carry their own weapons, uniform and bedding” wherever sent  during the operation “ till October 13.” 

The Pathankot Civil Hospital has been asked to make arrangements “for any eventuality.” The Emergency unit has been asked to stock blood and medicines and keep 20 beds vacant. Likewise, Gurdaspur and Batala Civil Hospitals have been put on alert. The Army and Pathankot Air Force station are on high alert. 

Gurdaspur SSP Swarandeep Singh, who is coordinating the exercise in his area,  called it a routine exercise but sources claimed otherwise. In the sensitive border village of Bamiyal, Pathankot SSP Deepak Hilori is in-charge. The three terrorists from across the border before laying siege to the Dinanagar police station on July 27, 2015, had made their way via Bamiyal. So had the four Jaish militants who attacked the Pathankot air base on January 1, 2016.  

Batala SSP Opinderjit Singh Ghuman is coordinating activities in Dera Baba Nanak and Kalanaur. Both share boundary with Pakistan. Security near the Kartarpur corridor site as well as the under-construction ICP has been tightened.  

Gurdaspur, Batala, P’kot cops on job

• 400 gunmen withdrawn by PAP asked to join duty forthwith
• Policemen told to carry their own ‘weapons, uniform and bedding’ wherever sent till October 13
• The Pathankot, Gurdaspur & Batala Civil Hospitals told to make arrangements ‘for any eventuality’