Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: A day after the security forces killed two militants in a fierce encounter at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday expressed grave concern over the security situation in J&K and its vulnerability to terror attacks.
In a statement issued by the Home Ministry, Chidambaram said, “The incident highlights the fact that the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, remains vulnerable to militant attacks sponsored by forces from across the border."
The Home Minister also called on the security forces to be extra vigilant and strengthening of the defence mechanism and rapid response system.
"I would emphasise once again that the country, especially the security forces, must remain in high level of vigilance but there is no cause for panic. We must remain calm
and confident that our security forces can face any challenge," he said.
In an obvious reference to the Srinagar encounter, which lasted for nearly twenty-two hours, the Home Minister said that the two militants were fully trained and well equipped by their handlers across the border.
Chidambaram also suggested that the two ultras, who were killed in the ensuing operation, were acting on the instructions from their bosses operating from outside.
The Home Minister’s statement comes at a time when a second encounter between security forces and militants is still on in Pulwama district of South Kashmir.
Acting on specific information, police and army launched a combing operation this morning in village Andrusa.
As the security forces zeroed in, the militants, whose number could not be ascertained, opened fire at them prompting the security forces to retaliate.
The security forces have succeeded in eliminating at least one terrorist in the ensuing operation and efforts are still on to kill the remaining militants.
First Published: Friday, January 08, 2010, 14:00