Cyber surveillance essential in fight against terrorism: DGP Swain

Srinagar, June 23: J&K Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Sunday said that terrorism in Jammu will be wiped out in next three months. People who are harbouring foreign terrorists will be tried under Enemy Agents Act which is harsher law than the UAPA, he said.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Cyber Police Station building at Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu, he highlighted that the internet is increasingly being used to sustain terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Any person who is supporting those who are spreading terror and terrorism or impose their ideology forcibly will be dealt strictly. Under Enemy Agents Act, the minimum punishment is life imprisonment and there is no other option in that. It is harsher law than UAPA,” he said adding that they are becoming agents of enemy who have no locus standi here.
DGP Swain said that those terrorists are killing innocent people here and investigating officers will identify those enemy agency and book them before the law of the land. This fight will be won by the will of the people, he said.
“This is a joint fight and there can be some casualties sometime and we will always try to minimise the losses with the determination of our forces. Finally the enemy will be given defeat and they might be thinking that J&K police are shying away from it due to fear of civilian casualties but they are wrong. We will win this fight and soon they will be wiped out from Jammu region,” DGP Swain said.
Regarding cyber-attacks, he said Pakistani handlers are exploiting the virtual world to facilitate infiltrators and smuggle weapons into the Union Territory.
DGP Swain said that the internet is increasingly becoming a medium for sustaining terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir, with approximately 75% of the challenge being linked to it. Some officers might estimate this figure to be between 60 and 80 percent, but I believe my statement is close to the truth, he added.
The DGP further noted that cybercrime is broad in scope and can intersect with other conventional crimes.
He said cybercrime had not been given due attention in Jammu and Kashmir over the years. However, cyber police stations have now been established in all 20 revenue districts and three police districts of the Union Territory.
“Cybercrimes often involve fraud, exploitation of young people, and financial scams. While fraudsters within India can be identified, the challenge increases with cross-border transactions and end-users located outside India’s physical territory,” DGP Swain said.
He said that foreign messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have undermined the sovereignty of our licensed telecom service providers by operating their services independently, posing a significant security challenge. We have raised this issue at the highest levels,” DGP added.
He said that Pakistan-based handlers, through their local agents, conspire attacks using the internet. They use cyberspace to plan infiltrations, identify geo-locations for dropping off arms, ammunition, and explosives, and coordinate pickups without being detected,” DGP Swain said.
He said previously, conspiracies were planned through physical meetings or telephonic contact, allowing authorities to track and monitor suspicious numbers.
“Now, everything has shifted to the virtual world, complicating surveillance efforts,” he added.
DGP Swain said there is need for a counter-plan to address the misuse and hijacking of technology by adversaries.
“While privacy is important, it cannot be used to shield crimes such as fraud, extortion, blackmail, or attempts to destabilize the government and incite separatism.”
He acknowledged the ongoing challenge and expressed confidence that the country, law enforcement agencies, and experts will find solutions by strengthening cyber police stations. This fight will continue until victory is achieved, he added.