POONCH, OCT 8: Additional SP Poonch Dr. Ajay Sharma directed police personnel and community representatives to strengthen grassroots intelligence, intensify the fight against narcotics and maintain heightened vigilance against suspicious activities during a Police-Community Partnership Group (PCPG) meeting at Government Higher Secondary School, Bafliaz.
The meeting brought together DySP DAR/In-charge DySP Surankote Shashi Kant, SHO Surankote, CRPF/SOG personnel, police officials, public representatives, social activists, ex-servicemen, religious representatives and local residents to review key security and public-safety concerns affecting the area.
Dr. Sharma directed that drug suppliers and peddlers be identified and effectively targeted, while calling for simultaneous efforts towards de-addiction, counselling and rehabilitation of persons willing to reform. He stressed that community members must play an active role in preventing vulnerable youth from being drawn into the narcotics trade.
On counter-terrorism, the Additional SP called for strengthened information gathering and immediate sharing of credible intelligence regarding suspicious persons, movements, visits or activities. He warned that anti-national elements could exploit drugs, weapons, terrorism, religion and other sentiments to influence youth and categorically directed citizens not to provide shelter, logistical assistance or any form of support to terrorists.
Highlighting the security challenges posed by the hilly and difficult terrain, Dr. Sharma called for greater vigilance and stronger police-community coordination. He also acknowledged the contribution of local residents during previous counter-terrorism operations, including Operation Sarpvinash, and stressed the importance of timely public inputs in preventing security threats.
The Additional SP further directed residents to report illegal mining, unauthorised tree cutting, encroachment and illegal clearing of forest or mountain land, while advising communities to resolve minor local disputes peacefully rather than unnecessarily escalating them through FIRs and counter-FIRs.
Dr. Sharma stressed that women’s safety must remain a shared community responsibility and highlighted the availability of Women Help Desks at every Police Station. He encouraged women to approach police authorities without hesitation and requested Ex-Sarpanch Tahira Tabassum to facilitate visits by women to Police Station Surankote to familiarise them with police functioning and strengthen their confidence in seeking assistance.
On cybercrime, he directed residents to exercise caution while using digital platforms and specifically warned against sharing OTPs, passwords, email credentials and other sensitive information with unknown persons. He called for immediate reporting of cyber fraud, blackmail and unauthorised circulation of private videos or recordings.
He also urged parents and community leaders to keep young people away from drug abuse, terrorist propaganda and harmful mobile-phone usage, and encouraged their involvement in sports and other constructive activities.
Community representatives, including Imran Khan, Mandal Pradhan and BJP member; Jameel Khan, Sarpanch Draba; Manzoor Khan, social activist and ex-serviceman; Zarina Butt, Ex-Sarpanch Chandimar; Hafiz Nasir, Maulana of Bafliaz Masjid; and Tahira Tabassum, Ex-Sarpanch Bafliaz, shared their concerns and suggestions.
The participants sought stronger action against drug suppliers and peddlers, enhanced rehabilitation and counselling measures, regular PCPG and public-darbar meetings and greater awareness regarding misuse of communication applications. A proposal for organising a cricket tournament in Bafliaz Block was also placed before the authorities for consideration.
The meeting concluded with a focus on strengthening the local security network, improving information flow, preventing narcotics and terrorism, protecting women and children, combating cybercrime and deepening police-public coordination through sustained community engagement.
