Surveillance cameras in Kashmir to check infiltration

In a bid to secure border areas and curb intrusion attempts, police have begun installing a network of Close-Circuit Television (CCTVs) in sensitive areas.

Kashmir region has witnessed numerous militant attacks, insurgency and infiltration attempts from across the border in the last two decades.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Poonch District, Shamsher Hussain said that 16 CCTV towers have been erected in the area.

"There is a need to install CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras in the state, especially Poonch for effective surveillance. In the first phase, we have erected 16 CCTV towers and cameras would be installed within two months," said Hussain.

Meanwhile, residents in the area urged authorities to speed up the installation work and ensure that the area was under constant surveillance.

"Poonch area is close to the border and it is very important to ensure that it is safe. Militancy has always disrupted routine life here and there are constant inputs about infiltration. We urge the state administration to ensure that cameras are installed on time on the towers so that we are safe and the police are also not burdened," said a resident, Sartaj Ali.

Militants have been frequently attacking security bases in Kashmir since the 1990s, when there was a full-blown insurgency against Indian rule in a region over which India and Pakistan fought two of their three wars.

The Himalayan region is one of the world's most militarised zones, with India deploying more than 1.3 million troops to quell the rebellion that triggered off in 1989.