In a move aimed at strengthening the second line of defence and enhancing surveillance capabilities, Punjab Police is all set to install as many as 2300 closed circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at 703 strategic locations in border areas, stretching from Pathankot to Fazilka, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.
"We are strengthening the second-line-of-defence with 2300 CCTV cameras being installed at 703 strategic locations right from Pathankot till Fazilka, with the cost of Rs 45 crores," he said. The DGP was here in Pathankot to inaugurate a slew of police infra projects in the district including a new Cyber Crime Police Station located on the second floor of Police Station Division-1 in the district.
He said that this cutting-edge facility is equipped with advanced technologies to tackle complex cybercrimes and provide swift and effective solutions to victims of online fraud. Citizens can report cybercrimes directly to the police station or through the toll-free helpline number 1930, he added.
DGP Gaurav Yadav also inaugurated the overhauled Police Command and Control Centre aimed at enhancing security in the border district by keeping vigil around all the entry and exit points in the entire Pathankot through CCTV cameras. As many as 344 HD cameras, including Auto Number Plate Reader (ANPR) cameras, have been installed and live coverage of key areas, including the Second Line of Defence, rural areas, and the entire Pathankot city, he said, while adding that another 357 cameras are being added to further strengthen security arrangements in the district.
DGP Gaurav Yadav also addressed a joint meeting of officers/officials of Punjab Police, Indian Army and Border Security Force (BSF) at Police Station Narot Jaimal Singh. While acclaiming the Pathankot Police for showing a high level of coordination and efforts to address drone crossings and terror activities, the DGP said Punjab Police, Army, BSF and Central Agencies needs to work as a one team to break the nexus of terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers, who are working jointly on the orders of the Pak-ISI. Information sharing is crucial, and coordination between agencies is the need of an hour to combat these threats, he said.
He also honoured high-performing officials and personnel of Punjab Police and BSF with DGP Commendation Discs and appreciation letters to encourage and motivate them to perform their duties more effectively. He also joined the ‘Bada Khana’ lunch organized by the Pathankot Police, which provided an opportunity to officers of all ranks to interact with the Head of the Police Force and exchange ideas, thereby strengthening the bond that is essential for effective teamwork in the field. Later, the DGP has also visited the BSF’s Shaheed Kamaljeet Singh Border Outpost (BOP) situated at International border of Indo-Pak to assess the security arrangements and interact with security forces deployed there.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the Police Station Cyber Crime in Pathankot, several distinguished guests and senior officers were present to mark the event. Among them were Sh. Satinder Singh, IPS, DIG Border Range; Sh. Yuvraj Dubay, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Sector ,Sh. Jatinder Pal Singh, Khurmi District and Sessions Judge, Pathankot; Sh. Aditya Uppal, IAS, DC Pathankot; Sh. Charanjit Singh Sohal, IPS, SSP Amritsar (Rural); Sh. Harish Dayama, IPS, SSP Gurdaspur Sh. Sohail Mir, IPS, SSP Batala;; Sh. Daljinder Singh Dhillon, PPS, SSP Pathankot,and Colonel Malay Baiya, SM, Kamoon Regiment (Army), Commandant Sunil Mishra 121 Bn BSF and Commandant Sh Kamal Yadav 58 Bn BSF.