On table at J&K meet: ramp-up in Jammu security, tighter net for Amarnath yatra
Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha at the high-level meet to to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha at the high-level meet to to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)
Strengthening the anti-infiltration grid, generating better intelligence, increasing boots on the ground and stepping up patrolling are ways in which the recent spurt in violence in the Jammu region is expected to be tackled, sources have told The Indian Express.
These measures were on the table at the over 5-hour long meeting chaired Sunday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at North Block to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and take stock of the security preparedness for Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin June 29.
“Union Home Minister directed security agencies to replicate the successes achieved in Kashmir valley through Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan in Jammu division. Shri Shah asserted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led government is committed to set an example by cracking down on terrorists through innovative means. Shri Amit Shah directed all security agencies to work in a mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement following the meeting.
The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval; Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha; Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey; Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla; Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka; senior army officers including Chief of Army Staff (Designate) Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi; chiefs of Central Armed Police Forces, Chief Secretary and DGP of J&K among other officers.
reasi terror attack
A crane being used to pull out the bus which plunged into a gorge following a terrorist attack on pilgrims, in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. At least 9 people were killed and 33 others suffered injuries in the terror attack on the bus, according to officials. (PTI Photo)
“Union Home Minister said that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is in its decisive phase. He added that recent incidents show that terrorism has been forced to shrink from highly organized acts of terrorist violence to a mere proxy war. He stressed that we are determined to root it out as well,” the MHA statement said.
The meeting comes after a spurt in violence in the Jammu region. Last Sunday, nine pilgrims were killed and 33 injured when a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked in Reasi. Since Tuesday, a CRPF jawan and two militants have been killed and seven security personnel injured in three separate encounters in Doda and Kathua districts.
The attacks were followed by a meeting by Modi on Thursday where he had directed senior officials to ensure the “deployment of the full spectrum” of “counter-terror capabilities”.
Sources said the review chaired by Shah on Sunday was held in two parts: the meeting on Jammu was between 11 am and 2 pm, while preparedness for Amarnath Yatra was reviewed between 2 pm and 4.30 pm.
Sources said that during the meeting on Jammu it was decided that apart from generating robust intelligence and strengthening anti-infiltration grid on the Jammu border (most recent attacks in Jammu have been carried out by terrorists from Pakistan), there needs to be a greater presence of police and security forces on the ground. “A comprehensive plan has been prepared to increase boots on the ground and have more patrolling,” said a senior official.
Apart from this, a crackdown on those providing logistical support to foreign terrorists after their entry into India was also discussed.
According to MHA, Shah emphasised on seamless coordination amongst the security agencies, identifying vulnerable areas and addressing security concerns of such areas.
Special emphasis, sources said, was laid on the security of Amarnath Yatra in the wake of recent terror attacks on pilgrims. Sources said more than 400 companies of security forces may be deployed this time to secure the yatra. Stress has been laid on sanitisation of routes and close monitoring of movement of pilgrims and their vehicles through RFID tags. I
Incidentally, in 2017, seven pilgrims returning from the Amarnath shrine were shot dead and 15 others were wounded when terrorists fired on their bus as well as a security vehicle in Anantnag district of South Kashmir. In 2019, the yatra had to be curtailed after the discovery of land mine and sophisticated weapons on the yatra route.
In 2022, terrorists killed four pilgrims near Katra using a sticky bomb on their bus. Drills are being conducted to spot bike riders who come near pilgrim buses to mount such attacks, sources said.
Sources flagged efforts from across the border to “destabilise” the Jammu region for more than two years now. This, they said, has resulted in greater infiltration of foreign terrorists in the region, increased attacks on security forces (more than 30 Indian Army personnel, including officers, have been killed in Poonch-Rajouri sectors alone in this period) and targeting of civilians, particularly pilgrims.
Sources said an unprecedented number of IEDs have been detected and defused in this period in Hindu-dominated areas of Jammu.
“Union Home Minister said that efforts of Government of India have yielded great positive results in Kashmir Valley with significant reduction in terror related incidents. He noted that the improvement in law-and-order situation is reflected in record flow of tourists in Kashmir Valley. Shri Shah appreciated security agencies and J&K administration for successful conduct of Lok Sabha elections, which witnessed record voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir,” the MHA statement said.
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