A statement by a cop on the presence of “terrorists” at Tharial village near here triggered panic in areas along the on the Punjab-J&K border on Saturday.
Pathankot senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rakesh Kaushal alerted his juniors and a thorough search was carried out in the village. It was learnt that two persons from the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh had come in the village on Friday night and were mistaken as terrorists.
As the area has large number of military establishments, residents first approached the army, which started the search operation. The police also joined the army. Meanwhile, Shahpur Kandi station house officer Kuldip Sharma hit the panic button and gave a statement to a news channel about the presence of militants or terrorists in the area.
The SSP dismissed the reports as rumours. He has also ordered a departmental inquiry against the SHO as he is not authorised to speak to the media without permission from higher authorities.