SRINAGAR: Union Home minister Amit Shah, in his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir in two years, drove straight to meet the family of a police officer killed by terrorists after arriving here in the morning.
The home minister is on a 3-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. This is his first visit since J&K’s special status under Article 370 was revoked on August 5, 2019, followed by bifurcation of the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Security was beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Shah’s visit which comes in the wake of 11 civilian killings.
The top most priority of the home minister was to first visit the family of Jammu and Kashmir Police Inspector Parvaiz Ahmad who was gunned down by terrorists on June 22. The brave cop was shot dead near his home in Nowgam on the outskirts of the city while he was returning home from evening prayers.
Amit Shah offered condolences to the family and handed over documents of appointment to a government job to Ahmad’s widow, Fatima Akhtar.
Shah was accompanied by L-G Manoj Sinha, Union Min Jitendra Singh, DGP Dilbag Singh and other senior officials of the J&K administration.
“Today visited the family of martyr Parvaiz Ahmad Dar and paid tributes to him. I and the nation are proud of his bravery. Jammu and Kashmir Police is making all efforts to realise the vision of PM Modi for a new JK,” Shah posted on Twitter.
Speaking to The New Indian, local BJP leader Hina Bhatt said ” the reason of his visit is to review the security, developments taken place after abrogation of Article 370 in J&K which is under L-G rule right now.”
.@JmuKmrPolice के शहीद जवान परवेज अहमद दार के घर जाकर उन्हें श्रद्धांजलि दी। मुझे व पूरे देश को उनकी बहादुरी पर गर्व है। उनके परिजनों से भेंट की और उनकी पत्नी को सरकारी नौकरी दी।
मोदी जी ने जो नए J&K की कल्पना की है, उसको साकार करने के लिए J&K पुलिस पूरी तन्मयता से प्रयासरत है। pic.twitter.com/Krv6CNfdJu
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 23, 2021
He later chaired a meeting to review the security situation in the Valley and was briefed by security officials on steps taken to eliminate terrorism in the region.
Shah will also flag off the inaugural Srinagar-Sharjah international flight and interact with members of a youth club here.
As there’s heavy rain and snow in several parts of the Valley, Shah’s visit to Jammu on Sunday to address a public rally is not yet confirmed.