Jammu, Feb 4: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving in Jammu on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.As per his reported tentative schedule, he is likely to reach Jammu at 5 pm on February 5 and will straightway go to Lok Bhavan where he will convene security review meeting and may also meet political leaders.
On February 6, he will visit Hiranagar border where he will review Border Security Force (BSF) preparedness to tackle increasing threat of infiltration.
Upon his return, a high-level security review meeting is scheduled at Lok Bhavan in Jammu.
On February 7, the Union Home Minister will leave for Srinagar where he will chair a meeting and attend a programme to launch development projects there before departing for the union capital.In the wake of his visit, layered security has been put in place across Jammu and Kashmir.Notably, the visit of the Union Home Minister assumes significance as presently intensified counter terrorist operations are underway in Udhampur, Kishtwar, and Billawar besides search operations in the border areas of Jammu region, both along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), amid frequent sightings of suspects.On the eve of his visit, three terrorists were killed in two separate raging encounters in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts.Operations were still underway.Union Home Secretary Govind Mohanís two-day crucial J&K security review visit on January 14 and 15 preceded Home Minister Shah’s visit.Mohan had visited J&K within a week after the Union Home Minister Shah, while chairing a security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on January 8, had directed all security agencies to remain alert and continue to work in synergy to ensure that the gains achieved after abrogation of Article 370 were sustained to achieve the goal of ëterror free J&Kí at the earliest.
During his visit, Mohan, in a string of security meetings in Jammu, had assessed operational preparedness and the desired steps to further bolster security grid so as to make it invincible to continue pressure on the adversary and offer no elbow room to terrorists hiding in the mountainous areas of the region.He was understood to have reiterated his directions for bolstering the anti-infiltration grid amid challenging conditions with a perfect synergised approach among all security agencies.In alignment with the directions of the Home Minister, during meetings, major emphasis was on counter terror operations targetting terrorists, terror infrastructure and the developments along the LoC and the IB.With regard to the J&K visit of the Union Home Minister commencing on February 15, the Leader of the Opposition in J&K Legislature Sunil Sharma, while confirming the VVIPís schedule, said that it mainly aimed at security review.
Union Home Ministerís visit to J&K is for three days ñ February 5, 6, and 7. As per his itinerary, he is scheduled to visit two or three places in Jammu. His visit to the border area is also part of his itinerary. Besides, he will chair a security (assessment) meeting here (in Jammu). In Kashmir, another meeting to be chaired by him vis-‡-vis development is slated,î the LOP said, while responding to media queries, outside J&K legislature, about the Union Home Ministerís visit to J&K.About the security situation amid ongoing encounters at a couple of places in Jammu region amid zero tolerance resolve of the central government, Sharma said, ìThat you can see happening on the ground. There is tremendous change. In case of terrorism, the biggest example is the year 2025, when no local terrorist was recruited in the (Kashmir) valley. This is a big achievement.îHe said that it happened because of the “zero tolerance to terrorism” policy of the government.ìOtherwise, earlier hundreds of youth used to get recruited by the terrorists. They (local youth) used to join terrorist ranks. This has happened for the first time that no one joined the terrorist ranks. Terror infrastructure is further being hammered with stringently. To completely dismantle their (terroristsí) roots and their support structure, the Government of India and our (security) agencies are working hard,î LoP said.
About the encounter underway in Basantgarh, the LoP said, ìSee, anyone, who has come from there (across the border) and challenges our Army or other security forces, is getting an appropriate reply and is being annihilated. Yesterday one terrorist was killed on the spot by our valiant army personnel. All the hiding terrorists will be eliminated. This reflects in the resolve and firm determination of the Government of India and our security forces and they (terrorists) cannot escape their (security forcesí) wrath for long.”National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, while replying to queries about the upcoming visit of the Union Home Minister said that it (visit) would be good if the Home Minister’s schedule was officially confirmed.ìHe is the Union Home Minister. He visits throughout the country. Presently, J&K is confronting many prickly issues. We hope that all those problems will be sorted out or lessened. I will also appeal to the Home Minister that the appropriate time has come for the restoration of statehood to J&K as per his promise made to the people of J&K,î Sadiq said.However, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra said that the frequent visits of the Union Home Minister to Jammu and Kashmir indicated that the internal security situation was not good.ìWe are saying it with responsibility that the situation is not that ñ the way it is being projected. People and the media are not being given correct information that in the past two or three months, in Jammu division and in Kashmir division, at least 7 or 8 districts are witnessing prolonged encounters. Situation is uncontrolled,î Karra said.He said, ìProbably his (Home Minister’s) visit is aimed at assessing the gravity of the situation. However, after his return (to the union capital), we will hear those oft-repeated phrases ñ everything is under control and the situation has improved. So we donít have much expectation from his upcoming visit.
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