With a large number of people from across the country streaming in Uttarakhand, particularly Haridwar, on pilgrimage it is unlikely that the State known as Devbhoomi is not under the lens of the terrorists. The observers said both the Centre and the State Government must be more active to stave off any such attack. “Kanwad Mela is scheduled to begin from August 1. Ardh Kumbh that would begin in January next year would draw millions from across the country and abroad. We can hardly take things for granted. The Gurudaspur incident should act as a wake-up call for Uttarakhand,” said an observer.
It has been learnt that Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of Punjab Police formed around four years ago emerged hero in the operation against the terrorists who attacked Dinanagar police station, Gurudaspur on Monday. It has been said that as they were carrying light weapons meant for training, they launched the initial operation with them alone.
State additional director general of police (administration) Ram Singh Meena said that the commandos of Anti -Terrorist Squad (ATS) named ‘Guldar’ consists of 92 highly trained elite commandos who are armed with better weapons and trained to strike with precision, are being deputed at important locations during religious activities held from time to time in the state based on intelligence input received from central government agencies. The commandos are trained by a special team in the nitty gritty of the counter-terrorism operations. Besides, they are armed with state-of-the-art equipment, Meena said.