Amid heightened security in Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack and continued cross-border firing by Pakistan, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday urged security forces to ensure that innocent civilians are not adversely affected during counter-terror operations.
Addressing the media, the J&K CM emphasized the need for balance in the state’s response to the attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. “While we must act decisively to catch those responsible for the Pahalgam attack, it is equally important that innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir are not caught up in the fallout,” Abdullah said.
“We have conveyed this concern to relevant authorities. It should not appear that in the pursuit of a few perpetrators, large numbers of locals are being targeted. Our approach must be thoughtful and precise,” he added.
Security has been intensified across sensitive districts like Poonch and Rajouri, where vehicle checks, ID verifications, and bag inspections are being carried out routinely. Visuals from these areas show police and paramilitary forces conducting operations aimed at preventing further threats.
Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered all states and union territories to conduct mock civil defence drills on May 7. In Srinagar, the J&K State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) carried out a preparedness drill at Dal Lake, simulating a boat capsize scenario.
SDRF personnel Arif Hussain explained the purpose of the exercise: “We are demonstrating how to handle a capsized boat situation as per the MHA’s directive.”
Senior officials, including the DGs of Civil Defence and the NDRF, participated in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to oversee the coordination of civil defence readiness nationwide.
The government continues to stress that while strong action will be taken against terrorism, efforts must be measured and must not result in unnecessary hardships for law-abiding citizens.
