J&K Police to enhance CI Ops with advanced Body Worn cameras

Srinagar, Nov 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Police are set to procure over 75 Body Worn Cameras as part of the first phase of a comprehensive police modernization initiative. This marks the first time such technology will be deployed in the Union Territory, with dual objectives: reducing traffic violations and enhancing counter-insurgency operations, according to officials.
A senior officer at the J&K Police Headquarters informed Rising Kashmir that the procurement of body cameras falls under the broader modernisation plan designed to equip police personnel with cutting-edge technologies. “The Body Worn Cameras will serve two critical purposes—ensuring greater accountability and transparency in traffic enforcement, as well as assisting in Counter Insurgency (CI) Operations,” he said.
These Body Worn Cameras offer real-time recording capabilities, providing a first-person perspective of law enforcement activities. The devices, equipped with high-definition video recording, live streaming, and secure data encryption, will play a pivotal role in documenting evidence during counter-insurgency operations and monitoring traffic violations.
“This initiative is expected to significantly reduce disputes arising from traffic fines and improve public trust in law enforcement. Moreover, during CI operations, the technology will help ensure proper documentation of field actions,” the officer added.
Once the cameras arrive, they will be distributed to Counter Insurgency (CI) units and traffic officers in Srinagar. More cameras will be procured in the second phase, officials said.
In 2021, the Gujarat Police became the first agency in India to adopt body-worn cameras integrated with a digital evidence management platform. Karnataka Police followed suit, making it mandatory for all personnel to wear body cameras during duty to address rising instances of illegal activities and allegations of corrupt practices.
Meanwhile, police officials noted that tenders for the body cameras have already been issued under the reference 2024/B-7189911, with the last date for bidding set for December 6, 2024. The tender outlines specific technical requirements to ensure that the cameras meet operational standards. Key specifications include image sensing capacity ranging from 2 MP to 10 MP for high-quality image capture, and video recording options in resolutions of 720 x 480 pixels, 1280 x 720 pixels (HD), and 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) for clear, detailed visuals. The cameras must also offer a wide field of view, ranging from 100 to over 160 degrees, and feature storage capacities of 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB, depending on operational needs.
Earlier this year, the J&K Police also began procuring 64,000 investigation kits and two specialized vehicles for the Bomb Disposal Squad as part of their ongoing modernization plan.
In October 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir government established a 6-member Union Territory-level Empowered Committee, chaired by the Financial Commissioner (ACS) for Home, to deliberate on the modernization plan of the Jammu and Kashmir Police under the scheme Assistance to States or UTs. This plan, which aims to strengthen police infrastructure, includes enhancing mobility, modern technology, weaponry, and communication equipment for the force.