New Delhi, Jan 17: After the Pathankot attack, the Western Command has strengthened its security and intelligence network, and brainstormed with police, Intelligence Bureau (IB), air force, Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the past few days to know gaps in the defence of its headquarters and key installations.
Sources in the command said perimeter security was a priority, and resources were being pumped into boosting it right from Jammu to the Western Command area. They said steps had been taken to improve the joint response mechanism with the BSF, CRPF and air force, in the area of intelligence particularly.
The Western Command has activated its manual intelligence resources along the international border and reviewed the security of installations. “It is a huge area (under the Western Command) and the challenge is great. We want to pre-empt terror strikes with better intelligence and coordination,” said a senior officer of the command.
As far as the places such as Ambala, where civilian areas and army cantonments intermix, the effort is on greater coordination with police, and they army hasd discussed emergency measures with the cops. It has been decided that in case of a Pathankot-like attack, the army will take charge, while police would guard the perimeter. The air force would want decreasing view of its bases from the nearby buildings.
