Punjab Government admits security lapse, orders action

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 22

After several unsuccessful attempts over the past few months, terrorists, allegedly aided by Pakistan agencies and network in Canada, struck outside an Army camp in sensitive Pathankot district late last evening.

The attack and delayed response have yet again brought to fore the vulnerability of this district, which borders Pakistan and terrorism-hit Jammu and Kashmir. While the incident took place around 9 pm on Sunday, security forces swung into action only after 10 pm.

The area was cordoned off past midnight as initially it was suspected some youths were bursting crackers. The major alert seemed to have been sounded in the morning only.

The state government has admitted to the security lapse. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who also holds the Home portfolio, in a statement said it had come to his notice adequate patrolling was not carried out at night. He directed all commissioners and SSPs to prepare a duty roster of gazetted officers in respective areas.

“I can randomly check the location of the duty officer via video calling,” said Randhawa, adding strict action would be initiated against erring officers.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary, Home, Anurag Verma has issued letters to the DGP, ADGP (Law & Order), Commissioners and SSPs in this regard asking them to follow the directions of the Deputy CM in true spirit.

On his part, Pathankot SSP Surinder Lamba said: “We have gained some important leads from the CCTV footage. Persons riding three motorcycles were seen in the footage. We are trying to find out which one hurled the grenade.” The region had seen two major attacks earlier, including one at Air Force Station, Pathankot, in January 2016 and the other at Dinanagar in August 2015. The attack comes ahead of the Assembly elections.

Delayed response

• While the incident took place around 9 pm on Sunday, security forces swung into action only after 10 pm. Area was cordoned off past midnight
• Pathankot SSP Surinder Lamba, however, said the incident was reported around 10 pm and they took necessary action as per the SOP

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