Security Alert Issued for High-Risk Jails in Jammu & Kashmir Amid Intelligence on Potential Terror Attacks

Key Highlights:

• High Alert: Intelligence warns of possible terror strikes on Srinagar Central Jail and Kot Bhalwal Jail.
• CISF Action: DG CISF holds emergency security review in Srinagar.
• Inmate Links: Two OGWs under NIA radar for Pahalgam attack connections.
• Background: Both suspects were previously arrested in the 2023 Rajouri killings.
• NIA Investigation: Ongoing probe spans multiple Indian states to map the full network.
• Jail Security: Prison protection handed over to CISF in October 2023 for enhanced vigilance.

Tightened Vigil at Srinagar Central Jail and Kot Bhalwal Following Inputs on Possible Terror Strike

Security has been significantly tightened across major prisons in Jammu and Kashmir. This follows intelligence reports indicating a heightened threat of terrorist attacks. According to highly placed sources, specific alerts have been received about potential strikes on high-security jails. These include Srinagar Central Jail and Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal Jail. Both of these jails house high-profile terrorists and Over Ground Workers (OGWs).

Terror Attack Threat Triggers Heightened Measures

The intelligence alerts are shared by central agencies. They suggest that terrorists may be planning targeted assaults on these facilities. The aim is to disrupt internal security and potentially facilitate jailbreaks. In response, paramilitary and state security forces have stepped up surveillance and fortified security arrangements at these jails.

Sources revealed that several known militants and OGWs are currently incarcerated in these prisons. They were involved in recent terror cases. This makes them potential targets for rescue attempts by terror outfits.

CISF Chief Reviews Preparedness with Top Security Officials

The Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) visited Srinagar on Sunday. He held high-level meetings with top grid security officials. The visit aimed to assess the current state of preparedness and implement additional layers of security across prison premises.

In October 2023, CISF formally took over security responsibilities for Jammu and Kashmir’s prisons from the CRPF. This was part of a broader strategy to secure critical infrastructure.

NIA Probes Inmate Links to Pahalgam Terror Attack

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its investigation into the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Two OGWs, identified as Nisar and Mumtaz, are currently lodged in Jammu jail. They were interrogated in connection with their suspected links to the deadly assault. The attack killed 26 civilians, including children.

These individuals were arrested earlier in January 2023. They were accused of alleged involvement in the Rajouri terror attack, which left seven civilians dead. A day after that incident, an IED blast further escalated the situation in the region.

NIA officials stated that both suspects likely had prior knowledge of the Pahalgam plot. They may have also played a facilitative role. Their questioning is part of a larger effort to uncover a deeper terror network operating in the region.

Background: Continued Crackdown on Terror Infrastructure

The NIA officially took over the Pahalgam case in late April. Since then, NIA teams have launched coordinated operations across Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal. They are collecting statements from affected families. They are also pursuing leads on the planning and logistics behind the attack.

The agency aims to uncover the full extent of the terror infrastructure. This infrastructure is believed to be aided by cross-border elements. It is responsible for orchestrating the recent spike in violence in Jammu and Kashmir.