New Delhi: With Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra emphasising on the need to protect lives of security personnel along the Indo-Pak border, all security forces deployed there were put on high alert and inst-ructed to maintain strict vigil especially against snipers deployed by Pakistan Rangers and Army.
As many as eight of the 11 security personnel killed along the border were victims of sniper firing. The issue was discussed at length at a high-level security review meeting chaired by Governor Vohra where situation along the Indo-Pak border was reviewed.
Top security said that border guarding forces were issued specific instructions to strictly follow Standard Opera-ting Procedures (SOPs) while on patrol duty along the International Border where Pakistani forces have a logistical advantage.
Forces like the BSF and Army were asked not to expose themselves to open surrounding as this would provide a clear target to Pakistani snipers from across the border. Patrolling teams were been asked to take advantage of the “natural covers like thick growth, rocks and pillars wherever possible’’ so that they can avoid snipers. In areas where movement of vehicles is possible the security men were asked to use them instead of patrolling on foot.
