SRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired a review meeting on the security situation of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. He called for the importance of further strengthening the local intelligence network and complete elimination of the terror ecosystem.
This high-level security review meeting in New Delhi on Jammu and Kashmir comes after Rajouri and Poonch districts witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks in 2023 with the martyrdom of 19 soldiers in four incidents.
As per official sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the ‘Jammu & Kashmir Security Model’ aimed at eliminating terrorism in all forms and all places and directed all the security and Intelligence agencies to fight unitedly. Official sources said, “The ‘Jammu & Kashmir Security Model’ is focused on the elimination of terrorism, intensifying search and combing operations in all vulnerable areas of Rajouri and Poonch to finish 30-odd terrorists hiding there.”
They further added, “We are ensuring that there is no local support to terrorists, there is identification and arrest of Over Ground Workers (OGWs), strengthening of intelligence network for fast information on terror hideouts, and complete coordination among all security agencies for quick action.”
FLASH : Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on the security situation of Union Territory of #JammuAndKashmir in wake of recent terror attack at Poonch.
During the meeting, the Union Home Minister reviewed the area domination plan of security agencies in J&K… pic.twitter.com/qSFNc2ygiO
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) January 2, 2024
“We are also strengthening vigil on the borders with Pakistan to ensure zero infiltration despite foggy weather conditions, and acting tough on those promoting terror using social media. Also, mobilization of Village Defence Groups (VDGs), attachment of properties of terrorists, OGWs and others supporting terrorism is included in our strategy,” the officials added.
Officials also reiterated that more security forces will likely be deployed in Rajouri and Poonch for joint operations along with the Army and J&K Police. They said that the conduct of Panchayat and Municipal elections, financial issues, recruitment, tourism and Industrial Policy of Jammu and Kashmir were also reviewed during the meeting.
J&K LG Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla, Director Intelligence Bureau (DIB) Tapan Deka, Chief Secretary J&K Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) RK Goyal, DGP J&K RR Swain and heads of other security forces attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government will continue to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against terrorism. As per official sources, while indicating that there should be no civilian loss while dealing with terrorists, Union Home Minister Shah stressed that all due procedures should be adopted while dealing with counter-terror operations.
The Union Home Minister appreciated the efforts of security agencies and the J&K administration for the significant decline in terror-related incidents, infiltration and improvement in law and order. Official sources said, the Union Home Minister also reviewed development works in Jammu and Kashmir including those under the centrally sponsored schemes, the Prime Minister’s development plan and others.
Issues concerning the conduct of Municipal and Panchayat elections, financial issues of the UT, and job recruitment were also discussed at the high-level meeting.