In the wake of several terror incidents in Jammu in the past one week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and took stock of arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra, which commences on June 29.
Mr. Shah directed security agencies to replicate the successes achieved in the Kashmir Valley with the “area domination plan” and “zero terror plan” in the Jammu division. He stated that the government was committed to setting an example by cracking down on terrorists through “innovative means”. He directed all security agencies to work in “mission mode” and ensure quick responses in a coordinated manner, a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said.
Since June 9, there have been terror strikes at four places in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda in the Jammu division, in incidents where nine pilgrims and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan were killed, and a civilian and at least seven security personnel were injured. Jammu has remained largely free of militant activities in the past two decades when compared with the Kashmir Valley. Since mid-2021, at least 26 major terror strikes have occurred in the Jammu region.
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The Home Minister said that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was in its “decisive phase”. He added that recent incidents showed terrorism had been “forced to shrink from highly organised acts of terrorist violence to a mere proxy war”. “We are determined to root it out as well,” he said.
Mr. Shah emphasised seamless coordination amongst security agencies, identifying vulnerable areas, and addressing the security concerns of such areas. He stated that government would leave no stone unturned in rooting out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Shah said that the efforts of the Government of India had yielded positive results in the Kashmir Valley, with significant reduction in terror-related incidents. The improvement in the law and order situation was reflected in the record flow of tourists to the Kashmir Valley, he said. The Home Minister appreciated the security agencies and the J&K administration for the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha election, which witnessed a record voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval; the Lieutenant-Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha; Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey; Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla; Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka; senior Army officers, including Chief of Army Staff (Designate) Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi; Director General of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF); the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police of J&K; and other senior officers.
While reviewing preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, Mr. Shah instructed establishing perfect inter-agency coordination for effective security arrangements, including a well-established standard operating response mechanism. Besides adopting eco-friendly measures in the management of the yatra, he said that it was the government’s priority to ensure devotees did not face any difficulty. In 2023, more than 4.5 lakh devotees undertook the pilgrimage.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra, including seamless registration, convoy movement, camping and medical facilities, upgradation of tracks, power and water supply, and mobile phone connectivity.
