Amit Shah chairs meeting to review Jammu and Kashmir security

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a high level meeting to review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Pic/PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reportedly chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review security situations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting started at 11 am in the presence of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, and Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka.

Senior Army officers, including Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Chief of Army Staff (designate) Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of the Central Armed Police Forces, Chief Secretary and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officers, also attended the meeting.

Shah conducted the meeting in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, which have raised concerns about the security arrangements in the region.

In the meeting, the home minister also reviewed the preparations for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage scheduled to begin on June 29, reported PTI.

According to sources, the home minister has been given a thorough briefing on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The security forces are expected to intensify counter-terror operations in the coming days.

The operations against the terrorists will be carried out in line with the prime minister's directive, they said.

The meeting was held two days after the Home Minister held a similar meeting with Home Ministry officials who then him about the current security situations and preparedness to handle such terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was reportedly held three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a similar meeting where he directed officials to deploy the "full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities" after a spate of terror incidents, including an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims, in Reasi.

The heightened vigilance is aimed at ensuring the safety of Jammu and Kashmir residents as well as the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and maintaining law and order in the state.

Since June 9, there have been terror strikes at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda, where nine pilgrims were killed, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed, a civilian was injured and at least seven security personnel were injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the series of terror-related incidents. The meeting, attended by NSA Ajit Doval and other senior officials, aimed to assess the current security landscape in the region.

Earlier at a meeting on Friday last, Shah was briefed about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the deployment of forces along the International Border and Line of Control, infiltration attempts, the status of ongoing anti-terror operations and the strength of terrorists operating in the Union Territory, the sources said.

Terrorists struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir within four days last week, killing nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan and leaving seven security personnel and several others injured.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive overview of the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region. He was briefed on the strategies and operations being implemented to tackle terrorist activities and ensure the safety of the region.

PM Modi also spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the deployment of security forces and ongoing counter-terror operations. Additionally, he spoke to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to review the situation and was briefed on the efforts being undertaken by the local administration.

Sinha reportedly briefed him on the efforts being undertaken by the local administration.

In the meeting, the prime minister was given a full overview of the security-related situation in the region and was apprised of the counter-terror efforts being undertaken.

The Amarnath pilgrims travel through two routes -- Baltal and Pahalgam -- in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the sources, last year over 4.28 lakh people visited the shrine and the figure could go up to five lakh this time.

All pilgrims are expected to be given RFID cards so that their real-time location can be traced and everyone will be given Rs 5 lakh insurance cover.

According to the agency reports, here will also be an insurance cover of Rs 50,000 for each animal carrying the pilgrims.

According to the sources, Shah has been emphasizing the need for seamless arrangements to be made for the pilgrims' transportation from the airport and train station to the base camp, as well as for their safety.