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Police chief predicts normalcy in Jammu

Mukhtar Ahmed in Srinagar

Rajouri and Poonch, currently the worst terrorist-hit sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, will be 'normal' by the middle of January, state police chief Gurbachan Jagat claimed Thursday.

"We have achieved major success in the ongoing anti-militancy operations in these districts," he told Rediff On The NeT, "There have been infiltration there, but that will be normal soon."

As part of the Centre's pro-active policy, the state is raising the strength of its police force. "It will reach 70,000 from the present 50,000 by the end of 1999," Jagat said.

He disclosed that the Centre had granted Rs 430 million for upgrading the police force. Of this, 200 million would be spend on sophisticated weapons. Immediately, the police were planning to purchase 5,000 self-loading rifles.

Both the state and Centre, he continued, agrees that 'the local police can fight insurgency better.'

He also disclosed that 114 new border posts were being created in the valley and Jammu to check infiltration.

Jagat admitted that the number of foreign militants has shot up. In fact, they have taken over from the local militants completely, he said.

Reacting to recent press reports that Osama bin Laden has shifted headquarters to Kashmir, Jagat said, "We are already fighting foreign militants... if more come we will tackle them."

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