Question : Terrorist Attacks

(a) the details of terrorist attacks including Pathankot air-base attack reported during the years 2015 and 2016, the number of civilian/security personnel injured and killed, terrorists apprehended and killed along with the status of the investigation in these cases;

(b) whether a high level meeting was convened recently to conduct a time-bound security audit of all vulnerable security installations in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the follow-up action taken thereon;

(d) whether the Government proposes to prevent various search engines, including Google from depicting maps of vital and security installations in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken to check recurrence of such attacks along with the measures taken for better co-ordination amongst the security agencies and strengthen the border security so as to check infiltration of terrorists in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*62 FOR 01.03.2016.


(a): The overall internal security situation in the country is fully under control, with regard to terrorism in the hinterland of the country. During the year 2015, one terror attack took place on 27.7.2015 at Dinanagar in Gurudaspur District in Punjab by terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan. A total number of 7 persons were killed and 17 injured in the terror attack. All the militants were neutralized by the Security Forces. In the beginning of the year 2016, a similar terror attack took place on 2nd January, 2016 at the Pathankot Air Force Station by terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan. In this incident, 7 Security personnel and 1 civilian were killed and 37 security personnel and 1 civilian were injured. All the terrorists were neutralized by the Security Forces.
The cases relating to the terrorist attack at Dinanagar and Pathankot are being investigated by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA), respectively. The investigation of both the cases is in progress.
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L.S.US.Q.NO.*62 FOR 1.3.2016
Based on intelligence inputs received prior to the attack, and the subsequent investigation into the Pathankot terrorist attack by the NIA, it has been disclosed that the terrorists belonged to the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist outfit based in Pakistan. There is also evidence on record that this terrorist attack was planned by the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar and others. The Government of India has shared the relevant information about involvement of Pak nationals with the Pakistan Government.
The Government of Pakistan has registered a case to investigate the role of Pakistani elements involved in this terrorist attack.
(b) & (c): The Security Audit of all security related establishments / infrastructure has been carried out by the organizations / agencies concerned to assess physical security measures and upgrade it wherever necessary.
(d): The matter regarding depiction of maps of vital and security installations of the country in the Google maps has been taken up with M/s Google from time to time. The Security agencies also get such maps blocked on a case to case basis.
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L.S.US.Q.NO.*62 FOR 1.3.2016
(e): In order to counter terror activities, there exists close and effective coordination between intelligence and security agencies at the Centre and the State levels. The Multi Agency Centre (MAC) has been strengthened and re-organized to enable it to function on 24x7 basis for real time collation and sharing of intelligence with other intelligence agencies and States, which ensures seamless flow of information between the State and the Central agencies.
Further, to counter the problem of cross-border infiltration and to enhance security in the border areas, the Government of India, in coordination with the State Governments concerned, has adopted a multi-pronged approach, which includes, inter-alia, strengthening of border management through multi-tiered deployment along international borders/Line of Control and infiltration routes, construction of border fencing, improved use of technology, better intelligence and operational coordination, synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration and proactive action against terrorists within the country.
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