Al-Qaeda video: J&K DGP says will take extra security measures

Srinagar, Sept 4: In the wake of a recent Al-Qaeda video threatening to take the terror outfit's campaign to India, Jammu and Kashmir Police chief today said that the security grid will take extra measures to foil any attempt by the militants to set up base in the state.

"We will step up security measures to meet any challenge. For us every militant (irrespective of affiliation) is a threat which has to be neutralised," Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar told PTI. The DGP said the security establishment is taking the development very seriously and will meet the challenge.

Kumar was responding to questions about the latest video in which Al Qaeda has claimed that it has established a new branch to wage jihad in India, return Islamic rule and impose sharia in the Indian sub-continent.

The creation of the group called "Qaedat al-Jihad in the Indian Subcontinent" was announced by As Sahab, al-Qaeda's official media outlet, in a lengthy video posted on social media outlets including You Tube. Al-Qaeda is active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but the group's leader Ayman al Zawahiri said "Qaedat al-Jihad" would take the fight to India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Home Ministry officials said the video seemed authentic

Home Ministry officials said as per the initial assessment of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) the video appears to be genuine. An alert has been issued by the Home Ministry to all states and security agencies to take possible precautionary steps.

Meanwhile, lauding the security apparatus for effectively guarding the borders, the DGP said, "There have been serious ceasefire violations (along the border) and numerous infiltration attempts by militants to sneak in. The border management system has been effective in foiling these attempts."

He said the recent successful operations against the militants in Kalaroos in Kupwara district and in Pulwama district has been due to the alertness of the security grid in the Valley. Kumar said the increase in infiltration attempts have come ahead of state assembly elections due to be held later in the year.

"Extra security forces will be coming in to ensure smooth conduct of elections in the state," he added.

PTI