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Delta Force ready for polls in Doda

The Delta Force of the Rashtriya Rifles, responsible for checking terrorism in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, says it is ready to take on any challenge posed by militants during the assembly election.

The general officer commanding of the Delta Force, Major General P S Chaudhary, told rediff.com at his headquarters a few kilometres away from the Jammu-Srinagar highway that rings around tourist spot Patnitop, that his force is engaged in "relentless operations" to "eliminate or neutralise militants in the heights".

The Delta Force is a key unit of the Rashtriya Rifles, the paramilitary force created in 1990 with 100 per cent intake from the army.

Gen Chaudhary said due to the intense operations in the region, "a large number of militants have run away to the heights".

They stay in semi-pucca accommodations created mostly by Bakarwals [nomadic shepherds], he said.

"There is no question of them being at one place, because that is what we are looking for," the general said.

He said the role of the Rashtriya Rifles is to "provide a secure environment where the state machinery can function and provide an environment where elections can be held in a peaceful manner. To that end we have various types of operations".

Doda, with its mountain ranges and dispersed hamlets, has been a haven for terrorists. It also has a lot of people who sympathise with them.

"We have to give not only security but also a sense of security, which is already prevailing. We have to enhance it further in local people," the GOC said.

He said the area would be patrolled day and night and his force would dominate "big towns and communication centres".

"Even for remote areas we send out patrols. Now our patrolling is continuing for last month. We have just finished the large number of yatras that take place...," he said.

On the first day of the Amarnath Yatra, the Delta Force had foiled a militant attack.

"I can say with confidence [that] in Doda district the number of people participating in elections, if you take percentage, will be far higher than the previous [two] per cent of 1996 [assembly election]. There may be stray cases of violence, which you cannot rule out. But in general, I think in Doda district the elections would be quite peaceful," he said.

He said the force has drawn up "our own plans for those who are planning disruptions, and various contingency plans are also being prepared. There is no need for anyone to fear".

The GOC said there is no visible change in infiltration in the region.

As part of the preparations in Doda, paramilitary forces are providing enhanced security to candidates and are also engaged in securing polling stations.

Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2002: The complete coverage

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