Gurdaspur terror attack: Army called, but not roped in for ops

As soon as information about the attack reached the local infantry brigade located in Tibri military station near Gurdaspur, it was passed up the chain of command to the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir. The Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) of infantry battalions were put on alert. Army Aviation Corps helicopters stationed near Pathankot were also pressed into action for aerial surveillance of the area.

Senior Army officers said that while their troops killed a terrorist while approaching the site for coordination with the police, the entire operation was handled by the Punjab Police.

It is learnt that the Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini wanted the specially trained police commandos to be used. Accordingly, the Army stepped back and provided outer cordon support. However, Army officials denied any turf war, and said it was prerogative of the civilian administration to take the Army’s help. ADGP (Intelligence) Hardeep Singh Dhillon said the police were equipped to handle the operation.