Cops 'erred', skipped SOP ahead of Vance's India visit

NEW DELHI: J&K Police may have erred by not undertaking vulnerability mapping of terror-prone areas ahead of US Vice-President J D Vance's visit, in line with the standard practice followed since the Chittisinghpora massacre of 2000, in which 35 Sikhs were gunned down by LeT terrorists during then US President Bill Clinton's visit to India.
As per the SOP, every time a top foreign dignitary visits, a vulnerability mapping exercise is undertaken in J&K, as part of which areas prone to attacks - including high-footfall tourist spots - are identified and either temporarily restricted to public or given extra security through establishment of police pickets and deployment of additional manpower for security.
"No such vulnerability mapping was done for Vance's visit. Had it been done, at least a temporary picket would have been set up in tourist spots like Pahalgam, particularly Baisaran that has been attracting a high number of tourists. Police presence would have been a deterrent and ensured quicker response even if the attack was attempted," said a senior officer of the security establishment.
J&K police sources, however, pointed out that though the SOP is followed every time a foreign dignitary visits, there is no clarity if this should kick in only when heads of state visit or also, in the case of visits by their deputies.