NSA Ajit Doval’s ‘security grid’ largely attributed for successful polls in J&K

New Delhi: It was a new “security grid’’ put in place by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval that is being largely attributed to the peaceful election process in Jammu and Kashmir.

Much before the Election Commission had formally announced the Assembly polls dates for J&K, the NSA had started working on the “security grid’’ personally monitoring the entire plan for a formidable intelligence and security apparatus on the ground.

Intelligence sources said that as part of the arrangement the NSA ensured that virtually the entire border with Pakistan along J&K was virtually sealed as election campaign in the State gained momentum.

For this the Army and paramilitary forces directed an additional 20,000 troops along the border, which ensured a sharp dip in infiltration.

Considering the strategic importance of the international border in J&K both the Army and paramilitary forces never disclose the exact number of troops deployed there. But the additional deployment is said to be heaviest till now.

Sources said the NSA had been personally monitoring all developments related to the movement of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed.

One of the specific intelligence inputs received revealed that Hafiz Saeed had been camping at terror training camp in Muzaffarabad for about a month planning disruption of elections in the Valley.

Following this the NSA, sources added, directed that the border should be totally sealed to stop infiltration.

“Our security forces have done a commendable job along the border and the information now reaching us suggests that Hafiz Saeed is now totally frustrated as he is not able to push in militants and all major infiltration bids have failed,’’ a senior intelligence official said.

Thus in the past one month there have been at least 48 infiltration attempts that have been thwarted by Indian security forces resulting in seizure of huge cache of arms and killing of militants.