Srinagar, June 3: The police on Thursday issued an advisory to protected persons not to venture out without Personal Security Officers and not to go anywhere without local security assessment.
“No protectee should go anywhere without PSOs. Visits are allowed only after ground assessment of local threats is done. Request is to all protectees not to violate SOPs and risk their lives unnecessarily,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said in a tweet on Kashmir Zone Police Twitter page.
The advisory comes a day after a Bharatiya Janata Party leader was shot dead by militants in the Tral area of Pulwama district in southern Kashmir.
Police said three unidentified militants fired upon Rakesh Pandita, a Municipal Councillor, who was visiting his friend at Tral Payeen. Rakesh Pandita succumbed to injuries whereas the daughter of his friend was seriously wounded.
Police said Pandita was provided secure accommodation at Srinagar and two Personal Security Officers. He was not accompanied by the PSOs during his visit to Tral.
Police sources said that a revamp in the security cover of protected persons has been started. Police said that there have been enough deliberations on reviewing the security cover of politicians including those facing threats. “The cops will get new SOPs and advisories,” a senior police officer told the Greater Kashmir, adding that if there is any bid from militants to target politicians, that will be foiled.