Shah Zain

 

If normalcy is returning or the threat of terror groups is fading away in Jammu and Kashmir, it is obviously because of our security forces and the local police, who are leaving no stone unturned to see the last remnants of terrorism are rooted out from the land for ever.
Among all the security agencies fighting it out on ground with the terror-ecosystem, the role of Jammu and Kashmir police is paramount. Being mostly the local people, these men in khaki are trying to keep the Union Territory terror free in the face of insurmountable odds.

Always At The Forefront

Ever since the Pakistan sponsored menace of terrorism hit Jammu and Kashmir, the local police along with other security agencies has been at the forefront in battling it with might and vigour.
It is the invaluable sacrifices offered by our men in khaki that the normalcy is returning back to J&K and Pakistan supported terrorism at the verge of its annihilation. But all this was not achieved without a cost.

Ultimate Sacrifice For The Nation

Since 1989, 1604 policemen of the J&K police have laid down their lives to safeguard the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country. Among the long list, included a Deputy Inspector General, a Superintendent of Police, 22 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 28 Inspectors, 39 Sub Inspectors, 69 Assistant Sub Inspectors, 150 Head Constables, 189 Senior Grade Constables, 563 Constables, 516 Special Police Officers and 26 Followers.
These sacrifices for the national cause have been well recognised. J&K Police ranks first in the country in the tally of gallantry medals bestowed upon it for their contribution and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Police Commemoration Day

On 21st October when the Police Commemoration Day was observed across the country including Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate the sacrifices of our policemen, the saga of JKP’s bravery and valour was being celebrated and recognised across the country. Among a total of 264 Police personnel martyred during the past year in the entire country, the highest – 37 – were from Jammu and Kashmir Police. This shows how an important role a J&K police personal is playing for the unity and integrity of the country. That is why J&K police is a well-respected and well-recognised force among the forces in all states, union territories, CAPFs, and Assam Rifles.

The Saga Began In 1873

The Jammu and Kashmir Police force was established in 1873 with one police officer known as Kotwal and 14 Thanedars for Srinagar City. This nuclear force would control crime and take care of law and order situations with help of village and mohalla volunteers, who were paid by the population out of their annual agricultural produce on a voluntary basis.
It was in 1913 that the state requisitioned the service of an Imperial Police officer on deputation and appointed Mr Broadway as the first Inspector General of Police in June, 1913. He continued to be Police chief up to 1917 and was followed by other Imperial Police officers. Between 1913 and 1947, the State saw only one India Police chief of J&K State in Col Gandharab Singh, between 1927 to 1931. Prithinandan Singh was the first Indian Police chief who took over on June 1, 1946.
Since then, the Police in J&K has undergone several re-organizations. The strength of police in J&K in 1889-90 was just 1040, which further rose to 1570 in the year 1903 and forty years later, in 1943-44, the strength of J&K Police was 3179. Its strength has gone to more than 83000 strong at present.

Hybrid Terrorism: Pakistan Gameplan

With Kashmir seeing the new trend in violence and Pakistan unleashing hybrid or faceless terrorism, the jawans of J&K police, being local, are more vulnerable. In recent past, many target attacks were carried out by terrorists not only on civilians but on the unarmed local policemen also. The vulnerability of local policemen to attacks of frustrated terrorists has not come down as yet. But it is the efficiency of the J&K Police to hit back with force that we have seen a large number of terrorists and their top commanders have been eliminated.
The strategy adopted by the J&K Police in eliminating terrorists has proved successful and this has led to the frustration of their masters across the border.

BOX 1 FOR THE STORY

DGP Dilbag Singh Hailed Sacrifices

The Director General of Police (DGP) of J&K police Dilbag Singh said recently that his force was working synergistically with the Indian Army and other Security Forces and have largely succeeded in breaking the back of Pakistan sponsored terrorism in the Union Territory. In his message on the Police Commemoration Day 2022, Mr Singh as a proud head of the gallant force, triumphantly made a telling statement on the importance of Jammu and Kashmir police. He said that the Commanders of the Central Armed Forces have always maintained that fight against terror without JKP would not have been possible. He has said that officers and jawans of police have faced bullets, grenades, bombs, and IEDs without any fear and their courage and valour have made the entire country proud.
“Terrorists who were sent by Pakistan to snatch J&K from India ended up in the graves. Even their bodies were not owned by their masters. What an Irony! They were killed fighting for the country which used them as tools and were dumped after they outlived their utility. In stark contrast, people of J&K are indebted to JKP martyrs and JK Police as a Parivaar has always stood by the families of the martyrs through their testing times,” said the DGP.

BOX 2 FOR THE STORY

Home Minister Amit Shah Paid Tributes To Martyrs

Undoubtedly, the invaluable sacrifices by J&K Police personnel in the line of duty are being valued by people of the country and its leadership.
On his visit to Jammu and Kashmir in the first week of October, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the family of policeman Mudasir Sheikh who was killed in an encounter in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. Mr Shah was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and MoS PMO Jitendra Singh.
All of them took the mountainous terrain to reach Sheikh’s residence in Uri, 100 kms from Srinagar, and met his family and interacted with them. The Union Home Minister also visited the martyr cop’s graveyard and prayed for the departed soul.
This shows how indebted the country’s leadership is to the sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir policemen. It is also an assurance that the family members of all the martyrs would never be left alone, come what may.
As per DGP Dilbagh Singh, J&K Police martyrs have been a source of inspiration for the entire force and their sacrifices shall ensure that the fight against terrorism is taken to its logical end.

 

BLURB

With Kashmir seeing the new trend in violence and Pakistan unleashing hybrid or faceless terrorism, the jawans of J&K police, being local, are more vulnerable. In recent past, many target attacks were carried out by terrorists not only on civilians but on the unarmed local policemen