Monday, July 31 2006 12:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: The arrest of two policemen and three Indian Army soldiers for their suspected links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) notwithstanding, the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been bravely standing up daily against terror for almost two decades.

"We have a strength of 65,000 in various wings of the police. Besides, we have engaged nearly 35,000 special police officers (SPOs) in certain sensitive areas," said Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Javaid Makhdoomi.

According to him, around 1,200 police personnel, mainly Muslims, had lost their lives fighting terrorism since it erupted in 1989.

More than 55 percent of police personnel in Kashmir are Muslims, as this is the only Muslim majority state in the country. Of more than 10 million people in the state, close to 6.8 million are Muslims.

"I can say without any fear of rebuttal that ours is one of the best police organisations in the country, and in its commitment and loyalty to duties, it is definitely at the top," Makhdoomi maintained.

Echoing Makhdoomi, state police chief Gopal Sharma said, "There can be a few bad apples. But a vast majority of these people are loyal, patriotic and devoted to their duties."

Last week, three soldiers and two policemen were arrested for allegedly providing logistic support to the LeT, though authorities stressed they were too junior to have any access to vital information.

The names of the three soldiers came up on the interrogation of an LeT operator, who also revealed that he had organised grenade explosions at the Jammu bus stand June 12 with the help of two state police officers.

Sources said militant groups were using money and coercion to lure security personnel.

"Yes, there are instances of the families of security personnel being harassed by terrorists, who are adept at using coercion to force them to work for them," said Inspector General of Police (Jammu zone) S.P. Vaid.

"But, despite that, most of the people work whole-heartedly even risking their lives. Their fight against terror is undiluted," he added.

According to official records, 36,024 personnel of the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) have died in the fight against militancy.

"Let their sacrifices and others fighting terrorism day in and day out not be besmirched by what a few odd people do for lure of money or under duress," Vaid maintained.

Defending the police, Makhdoomi said, "If one cop is arrested for reported links with the ultras, that is no commentary on either the efficiency of our force or its commitment to fight terrorism here. We must be judged by our sacrifices and by our successes in fighting violence in the state."

According to him, the police personnel came from different backgrounds and regions but formed a 'cohesive' force.

"You must appreciate the fact that even Muslim members of our organisation are from different regions of the state. It is a cohesive force and it fights as a well-oiled machine," Makhdoomi asserted.

Meanwhile, an official said cases of security personnel conniving with terrorists - though a few in number are not always declared to the media.

"From time to time, a few cases come to light and the concerned wings of security forces are kept informed. This particular case (last week's arrests) has got highlighted; otherwise a quiet inquiry is conducted and the guilty punished (without making the matter public)," the official told sources.

He pointed out that money was the biggest factor in most such cases. Fear is also a reason, as a majority of personnel hailing from violence-hit areas have to perform their duties despite their families being at risk.

At least 200 family members of security forces have been killed or maimed by militants since 1989.