punjab-on-alert-after-pahalgam-attack-cm-chairs-meeting

In the wake of the Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convened a high-level security meeting at his residence on Wednesday. With the state on heightened alert, the government is actively coordinating efforts to ensure the safe return of Punjab residents currently stranded in the Jammu & Kashmir.

The Chief Minister said the state was actively coordinating with the Jammu & Kashmir administration and the police to facilitate the return of tourists via Pathankot. “The safety of our citizens is our top priority,” he said.

In response to the attack, the Punjab Police have intensified security measures at all major tourist destinations. Deployment of uniformed personnel as well as plainclothes officers has been increased to maintain vigilance at key locations.

The Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) shared that the state was preparing to launch an advanced anti-drone system soon, as drones had increasingly become a toll for cross-border terrorism. “Pakistan is engaging in a proxy warfare using drones,” he said.

Raising concern over the misuse of drones, CM Bhagwant Mann stated that there was a growing nexus among terrorists, gangsters, and drug traffickers. These groups were using drones to smuggle heroin, weapons, and money. He also added that the state's ongoing campaign against narcotics had led to a substantial decline in such activities.

“Some drones found were manufactured in India, sent across, and then returned with contraband,” he said. He also pointed out the unchecked use of drones in public events like weddings and rallies.

He urged the Central Government to implement a comprehensive drone policy, including mandatory registration and identification. “If we need multiple documents to get a SIM card, why is it so easy to obtain a drone?” he questioned.

CM Mann also announced intensified action against those involved in drug trafficking. “Cases will be registered under the NDPS Act, and with proper permissions, the properties of offenders will be demolished using bulldozers,” he said.

The meeting also held significance due to Punjab's geographical proximity to both Pakistan and Jammu & Kashmir. The terror attack site in Pahalgam is just 297 km from Pathankot, which hosts major Indian military installations, including an airbase.