Edited by Deepali Verma
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the functioning of the security grid and overall security aspect of Jammu and Kashmir, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. Further, he provided extensive instructions to strengthen the counter-terrorism operations and the need for complete elimination of the terror ecosystem on January 2. Over the course of almost two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the Home Minister overlooked the area domination plan of security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir to eradicate the threat of terrorism.
The Home Minister cautioned the security agencies to facilitate “appropriate deployment in vulnerable areas” and reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the goal of the government is to adopt a “zero-tolerance approach against terrorism”. The Home Minister also emphasised the importance of further strengthening the local intelligence network.
Shah also was in appreciation of the efforts of the security agencies and administration of the Union Territory for a significant decline in terror-related incidents, infiltration and improvements in the law and order situation.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Chief of Army Staff, Director IB, Heads of CAPFs, Chief Secretary and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir were other notable presence in the meeting.
Four soldiers were killed and three injured following an encounter, once the terrorists fired at two army vehicles passing through Dera Ki Gali in Rajouri’s Poonch region at around 3:45 pm on December 21 last year. The meeting was held in response to the aforementioned encounter.
Additionally, in November last year, five soldiers, including two captains, were also killed in action after the Army and its special forces started an anti-terror operation in Rajouri’s Kalakote.
10 soldiers were reportedly killed in action in twin attacks in the Rajouri-Poonch region during April and May 2023. This region was largely free of terrorism between 2003 and 2021, after which the frequent encounters were a common occurrence. Close to 35 soldiers have been killed in action during anti-terror operations in the area during 2021 and 2022.
Pir Panjal, which also comprises Rajouri district besides Poonch and parts of Reasi districts, has witnessed increased militancy in recent years with a significant number of Army soldiers losing their lives after being ambushed by militants in the region, said sources in the security wing.
The Home Minister sat through a similar high-level review meeting concerning the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on January 13 last year and said that all security agencies are dedicated to fight a decisive battle against terrorism following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He talked of putting a 360-degree security mechanism that would be further strengthened to completely eliminate the support and information systems of terrorists.
