Adequate security arrangements in place in Jammu, no need to panic: DGP

Following a low-intensity blast at main bus stand and a brief exchange of fire outside an army camp here with suspected militants, state police chief Dilbag Singh Sunday said adequate security arrangements are in place across the Jammu region and there is no need to panic.

We are alert to the situation and adequate security arrangements are in place. There is no need to panic. The mischievous elements are trying to create fear but we are well prepared to take care of the mischief mongers, track them down and bring them to book, Singh told reporters on sidelines of a function here.

Dismissing the blast at the bus stand Friday night as a mischief, J&K Director General of Police Singh said the police are looking into the incidents and those behind it cannot escape it.

Asked if there was any specific input about terrorists planning an attack in Jammu, he replied in negative and said, "We have registered major successes in anti-militancy operations this year They (militants) always make attempts (to strike) but we are alert and fully prepared to deal with them.

On the brief exchange of fire between two suspected terrorists and the army personnel manning a post at Ratnuchak Military Station around 1.50 am Sunday, the DGP said the whole area was searched but there was no evidence to suggest terrorist movement.

We dispatched a police party immediately after getting information about the suspicious movement of two persons and the brief exchange of fire. The whole area was searched throughout the night but there was no evidence on the ground, he said.

The DGP, however, said, "Since we are close to the (international) border and based on the past experience, we are not taking anything lightly. A search operation was conducted thoroughly but no confirmation came from the ground suggesting presence of the terrorists.

Jammu is always on alert. We have to be on alert, he said when asked whether an alert has been sounded across Jammu region following the incident.

Asked about the reports about four rifles of a Congress MLC's personal security officers having gone missing from his residence in Srinagar on Sunday, the DGP said, "I have also heard about the incident and we are getting details.

"We will look into the incident thoroughly. We are not going to tolerate this kind of incompetence and appropriate action will be taken in this case," he said.

He said the weapon snatching is directly linked to the militancy and it will soon come to fore where the weapons have gone as the investigation is on.