Jammu prime ''target'' of Fidayeens: Police

Jammu, May 13 (UNI) Sounding alert in the city of temples, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Jammu-Kathua range Farooq Khan today said the militants may ''target'' Jammu city ahead of Amarnath yatra and assembly elections scheduled to be held in October.

Khan while interacting with mediapersons during the programme 'meet the press' organized by the press club of Jammu here this morning said as per intelligence inputs,a large number of militants are on their toes to enter Indian territory from across the border.

''Around 400-500 militants in bordering districts of Jammu region are waiting to infiltrate into Indian side from across the border,'' Khan told UNI adding that Jammu may be the prime ''target'' for the ultras.

''From June 18,a two-month long Amarnath yatra is going to begin followed by assembly elections in October and the militants ''targeting'' sensitive areas of the city cannot be ruled out,'' the DIG said asserting, ''tight security arrangements have been made with additional troops from various security agencies, who will be guarding the entire Jammu region of the state.'' However, Mr Khan also said night curfews on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner are also being imposed on the borders to keep surveillance on suspicious movements.

Commenting upon the Samba encounter between fidayeens and the security forces wherein a photojournalist, political leader and his wife among six people were killed, Mr. Khan said, ''it is hard to say that either fidayeens crossed the border on May 8 when the infiltration bid was foiled or they were already present in the forest area of Samba sector.'' UNI VBH SY RN1622