JAMMU, FEBRUARY 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday chaired a high-level security review meeting in Jammu to assess the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, with Chief of the Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi and senior officials from across the security establishment in attendance.
The meeting assumed particular significance in the backdrop of intensified anti-terror operations in the Jammu region, which over the past two weeks have resulted in the neutralisation of four hardened Pakistan-native terrorists linked with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. These operations followed nearly a dozen encounters in Kathua, Udhampur and Kishtwar districts, reflecting an aggressive push by security forces to dismantle terror networks and prevent infiltration.
This was the second major security review chaired by the Home Minister within a month. Earlier, on January 8, Amit Shah had presided over a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, during which he directed that counter-terror operations targeting terrorist infrastructure, logistics and financing be carried out in “mission mode”. He had also reiterated that the Centre would provide all necessary resources to achieve the goal of a “terror-free” Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.
Friday’s meeting, held at Lok Bhavan in Jammu, brought together key stakeholders involved in internal security and border management. Apart from the Army Chief, those present included Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Northern Army Commander Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding of Jammu-based White Knight Corps P K Mishra, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Border Security Force Director General Praveen Kumar and Central Reserve Police Force Director General G P Singh, besides other senior military, police, civil and intelligence officers.
Officials said the deliberations focused on reviewing ongoing anti-terrorist operations, strengthening the anti-infiltration grid along the border and Line of Control, and assessing measures to counter emerging threats such as drone activity from across the border. Intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of terrorists waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate into Indian territory were also discussed.
The meeting commenced shortly after the Home Minister returned from the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, where he visited forward border outposts and interacted with personnel of the Border Security Force. During his visit, Shah also addressed the troops, appreciating their vigilance and dedication in safeguarding the borders under challenging conditions.
Officials said the Home Minister emphasised the need for close coordination among all security and intelligence agencies, timely sharing of inputs, and swift operational responses to emerging threats. The importance of maintaining sustained pressure on terror networks, their over-ground workers and support systems was also underscored.
Earlier, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan had also chaired a security review meeting in Jammu during his two-day visit on January 14 and 15, indicating a continuous high-level focus on the security situation in the region.