After the terrorist attack at Dinanagar police station in Gurdaspur district on Monday in which the assailants had put on army fatigues, the security forces are facing an additional obstacle to doing their job. Villagers in the region are mistaking personnel from the forces as terrorists.
In the latest such instance on Friday, residents of Doloval village mistook five BSF jawans as terrorists. It was only after the intervention of Dinanagar assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Akhil Chaudhary, who identified the men that the confusion was cleared. Chaudhary confirmed the incident to HT.
Even on Tuesday, even in the Himachal Pradesh town of Nurpur, some army men, while on a routine drill, were suspected to be terrorists.
“I request villagers to have patience and not spread rumours that lead to panic. People must help us and inform us of any suspicious person, but must not clash with or suspect officials from the forces,” said ASP Chaudhary.