Dehradun: Uttarakhand police have been placed on high alert following intelligence inputs that Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti is allegedly using online platforms to radicalise youths in the hill state.
Director General of Police Deepam Seth on Tuesday directed intelligence and security agencies to step up surveillance across Uttarakhand, particularly after several of Bhatti’s suspected associates were picked up in different parts of the country.
Chairing a review at the Intelligence and Security Headquarters in Dehradun, Seth asked district police units to stay extra vigilant and monitor suspicious activities closely. The meeting examined the functioning of the Intelligence and Security Department and debated emerging challenges linked to terrorism, border infiltration, online misinformation, large religious congregations and the upcoming Assembly elections.
The DGP underlined the need to implement “Prahaar”, described as India’s first national counter-terrorism policy, effectively at the grassroots level. He also directed the state Anti-Terrorist Squad to study successful operations and working models adopted by police forces in larger states, as reported by The New Indian Express.
“Our counter-terrorism capabilities must be upgraded to the highest professional standards, with stronger coordination, modern technology and timely intelligence-sharing,” Seth told senior officers.
Border Districts, Pilgrim Routes In Focus
Citing Uttarakhand’s sensitive China–Nepal frontier, Seth has ordered a top-level coordination conference with the ITBP, SSB, Army, IB, state police and ATS to plug gaps in border surveillance, stop illegal crossings and track suspected anti-national elements.
He flagged tourist and pilgrim safety as a top priority amid rising footfall and the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, and asked for a full security blueprint for the Kumbh Mela and other major religious events.
“Manpower, technical equipment and other essential resources must be assessed and arranged well in advance to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of all important events,” he said.
Before the Assembly elections and big religious events, the DGP has ordered 24×7 monitoring of Facebook, X, Instagram and WhatsApp to catch inflammatory posts and people trying to create trouble. Police units have been told to quickly issue official clarifications to counter rumours, communally sensitive posts, doctored videos and deepfakes before they can cause tension.
Security for the Chief Minister, VVIP movements and election events was also reviewed, with orders to toughen law-and-order arrangements in sensitive pockets.
The review was attended by DG (Intelligence & Security) Abhinav Kumar, IG (STF) Nilesh Anand Bharne, IG (Personnel) Sunil Kumar Meena and other senior officers, several of whom joined via video link from across the state.
