How Is Amarinder Singh's Punjab Government Tackling Terrorism

Punjab, which shares its border with Pakistan, has been a victim of terrorism for decades. However, ever since Captain Amarinder Singh came to power in 2017, the state's security forces, empowered by the decisions taken by the Punjab government, have thwarted the nefarious designs of terror groups.

One of the key decisions taken by Mr Singh's government in Punjab is the creation of the Special Operation Group. The government offers non-fiscal incentives to those who join the SOG. The group tackles challenges posed by militant threats. They are tasked with neutralizing militant threats like fidayeen attacks. They are also trained to handle hostage negotiations. They also check cross-border infiltration by armed terrorists.

The government has also initiated reforms in the police system to bolster the state's law and order. A separate police wing for investigation has been created to probe heinous crimes. The move will lead to the separation of law and order machinery from the investigation wing, resulting in a more focused policing. He was quoted as saying news agency PTI

Last year, Captain Singh had said that Pakistan was fomenting trouble in Punjab. He said,

Pakistan has its own problems, but I won't let them make their problems my problem. We will not let them mess around with us.

He had also informed that since he came to power, Punjab police had busted 28 terror modules, and 100 terrorists backed by Pakistan's ISI had been arrested.

Within months of making the remark, the number of terror modules busted has risen to 31, which shows the efficiency of the security forces of the state. The authorities have also identified 26 foreign handlers.

In September last year, in a major achievement for security forces and the Punjab government, a module of banned terrorist outfit Khalistan Zindabad Force that was conspiring to unleash a series of strikes in Punjab and neighbouring states was busted. Four terrorists from the state's Tarn Taran district were arrested.

The state government has also taken major steps to stop the smuggling of drugs from across the border.