Hit terrorists, ensure zero infiltration from Pakistan: Amit Shah

Srinagar: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asked the security forces to hit terrorists and those who help them with logistical support harder, and ensure zero infiltration from across the western borders so that permanent peace is established in Jammu and Kashmir.

The home minister said though he was satisfied with the operational capabilities of the security forces assigned to combat the decades-old insurgency in the Himalayan region, he would stress the need for continued vigilance and synergy among all security agencies for complete eradication of terrorism and violence.

Shah who was speaking at a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhawan here also said the Unified Headquarters, the highest security grid in the Union Territory, that while taking decisive actions against separatists, terrorists, their collaborators and other anti-national elements, should maintain a public-friendly approach to build trust with civilians. He emphasised that the fight against terrorism must be relentless, but the approach towards the public should remain sensitive and approachable.

The meeting was attended also by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union home secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Northern Command GoC Lt General Suchindra Kumar, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Corps Commanders of 15, 16, and 9 Corps, J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and senior officials of the BSF, CRPF, and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Pertinently, J&K being a Union territory, the police, and law and order subjects are directly controlled by the Centre through the Lieutenant Governor.

The meeting, which represented the apex security grid of the UT, discussed effective, continuous and sustained actions against militants and their support structures in the backdrop of rising number of terror-related incidents in Kathua and some other parts of the Jammu region, the official sources said. It also took an intense review of the security arrangements for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra and peak tourism activity expected in the Kashmir Valley in summer.

The sources said that at the security review meeting, Shah reiterated that J&K’s peace and stability remain a top priority with the Narendra Modi government.

Shah while interacting with the families of the J&K policemen who laid down their lines in the line of duty at Jammu’s Raj Bhawan on Monday had said that terrorism in J&K has been curbed but not fully eradicated; hence the Modi government’s ‘mission’ is not accomplished yet. “Our mission is still not accomplished, because terrorism has been curbed, but it has not been completely eliminated,” he had said.

Tuesday’s security review meeting which was an important engagement in the itinerary of the Home Minister’s three-day visit to J&K came after he reviewed various ongoing developmental projects in the J&K at a separate meeting earlier in the day.

The home minister in a post on ‘X’, said, “Reviewed the development projects in Jammu & Kashmir today. The Modi government is working with an unwavering resolve towards building a developed J&K”. He added, “The tireless efforts of PM Shri @narenramodi Ji are ushering in a new era of prosperity for every citizen through development and welfare initiatives. J&K is accelerating on the path of growth in every sector.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also attended this meeting. Later, he had a one-on-one meeting with Shah at which important issues concerning J&K came up for discussion, the sources said.

Shah had soon after arriving in Jammu from Jaipur on the Sunday evening attended a function at the BJP’s local headquarters as part of the party’s foundation day celebrations. He had assured the participants that peace would return to the Kathua and neighbouring areas soon as the security forces have launched an all-out operation against the terrorists.

Earlier, during his interaction with the 28 BJP MLAs, many of them had voiced concern over the continued infiltration by militants from across the border and repeated incidents of terror and violence in the Jammu region particularly Kathua district.

On Monday, Shah visited a Border Security Force (BSF) border outpost (BoP) ‘Vinay’ along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in the Kathua district. While addressing the troops, he lauded the BSF for its determination and strong will in securing the borders of the country and assured the paramilitary force that the government will enhance it with advanced technologies so that it excels further in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Later in the day, Shah met the families of martyred J&K policemen at Raj Bhawan Jammu and handed over appointment letters to nine nominees from among them on compassionate grounds. He also had a closed-door meeting with select BJP-RSS leaders and activists at the residence of Sunil Sharma, Leader of the Opposition in J&K Assembly.

Soon after arriving in Srinagar for the second leg of his visit on Monday evening, the home minister visited the family of Humayun Muzammil Bhat, slain deputy superintendent of police and Kirti Chakra awardee (posthumously) to express his solidarity.

Bhat and two Army officials, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the Army’s 19 Rashtriya Rifles (12 Sikh Light Infantry), and Major Ashish Dhonack were killed and a couple of more security personnel injured soon after they had entered the Gadool hamlet of Kokernag in Anantnag district to flush out militants on September 13, 2023. Shah, who was accompanied by Lt Governor Sinha and Chief Minister Abdullah spent about 20 minutes with the slain police officer's father, retired IGP Ghulam Hassan Bhat, and presented him a Kashmiri shawl as a mark of respect.

Shah wrote on ‘X,’ “DSP Humayun Muzammil Bhatt of J&K Police made the supreme sacrifice in an operation against terrorists at Kokernag in J&K in 2023, creating an immortal example of valour and patriotism. Today, I met the martyr's family in Srinagar and extended my heartfelt condolences.”