A top CRPF officer in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday said that strict efforts are being taken to protect members of the valley's minority community, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking with reporters, IG CPRF (Kashmir Operations) M S Bhatia stated: "Minority pickets of CRPF are on alert, we review the security regularly. Our endeavour is to keep all the minorities in south Kashmir safe and we are in touch with them on a regular basis."
His statements came as terrorists killed a 40-year-old Kashmiri Pandit on his way to a local market in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama area on Sunday, in yet another targeted murder of a minority community member in the valley.
Sanjay Sharma, an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at close range about 100 metres from his home in the Achan region of south Kashmir.
The death elicited worldwide criticism and calls for community members' safety.
Bhatia stated that every precaution will be taken to ensure the community's safety.
“I want to assure that we are taking stringent security measures to provide a sense of security to them and everything will be done for their security,” he was quoted by PTI in its report.
In response to a question on security for the Amarnath Yatra, which is expected to begin in June, the CRPF official stated that security agencies have begun examining security measures for the annual pilgrimage to the south Kashmir Himalayan.
“Last year, the yatra concluded peacefully and a huge number of yatris came. This year too, we hope for a huge number of yatris. Stringent security measures will be put in place, including use of technology like drones. Also, ROPs, bullet-proof vehicles will be used in such a manner that the yatris have a wonderful experience,” he said.
Bhatia stated that whatever actions are required to assist the yatris would be done, just as they were last year.
"CRPF’s helpline ‘Madadgar’ proved very helpful last year and this year too, we are ready to work in the same manner,” he added.
When questioned about the number of militants in south Kashmir, the IG CPRF replied that while it is impossible to offer a precise figure since it changes, the forces have an advantage.
“All the security forces are working in coordination and the results are there for everyone to see,” he added.
On the employment of technology in counter-insurgency operations, the CRPF IG stated that it is our duty to keep our jawans safe and for that, "we will take that." Examples of such technical advancements include the critical situation response vehicle, JCB, bullet-proof equipment, etc.
"Our aim is to neutralise enemies without incurring any own losses,” he said.
On rumours that the CRPF will be handed control of some of the valley's hinterland areas where the Army had previously been stationed, Bhatia said that the Centre would be responsible for making that choice. "We would do whatever duty is given to us," he said.
(With Inputs From PTI)