Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed senior officers of the security forces to eliminate all Pakistani terrorists active in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also instructed the forces to ensure zero infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) to establish lasting peace in the Union Territory.
Chairing a high-level security review meeting in Jammu, the Home Minister reviewed ongoing anti-terror operations across various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Reviewed the security situation in J&K with the Lieutenant Governor and senior officials. Discussed innovative measures to further reinforce the watertight security grid. Efforts at de-radicalisation have seen major success in accelerating our vision of a terror-free J&K. Instructed officials to take more steps for youth engagement," Shah posted on his social media handle.
Official sources said that soon after returning from the International Border in Kathua district, the Home Minister chaired the high-level security review meeting at Lok Bhavan in Jammu.
The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, J&K Chief Secretary Atal Duloo, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, General Officer Commanding of the Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lt Gen P.K. Mishra, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Praveen Kumar, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General G.P. Singh, and other senior military, police, civil and intelligence officials.
The meeting assumed significance amid stepped-up anti-terror operations following nearly a dozen encounters in Kathua, Udhampur, and Kishtwar districts of the Jammu region over the past two weeks. Four Pakistani terrorists were killed in these gunfights.
Sources said that during the meeting, the Home Minister reviewed ongoing counter-terror operations, the anti-infiltration gri,d and measures being taken to counter drone activities from across the border, amid intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of terrorists waiting for opportunities to infiltrate into India.
"Security forces must ensure zero infiltration from across the border," sources quoted the Home Minister as saying.
He also directed senior officers to choke the supply lines of terrorists hiding in the upper reaches of the Jammu region and intensify anti-terror operations.
Shah reiterated that all necessary resources would be made available to achieve the goal of a "terror-free" Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.
The Home Minister lauded security agencies for acting firmly against terrorists and their supporters, and for maintaining peace and tranquillity in the Union Territory.
Notably, this was the second security review meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister within a month. Earlier, on January 8, Shah had chaired a high-level review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir security in New Delhi, directing that counter-terror operations targeting terror infrastructure and financing be continued in "mission mode".
Interaction with families of martyrs
After the security review meeting, the Home Minister interacted with the families of martyrs and handed over appointment letters to the next of kin (NoKs) of the fallen soldiers.
"This country can never repay the debt of our soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the defence of the nation and the safety of its citizens. Today, I had the privilege of interacting with the families of the martyred soldiers at Lok Bhavan, Jammu, and presenting them with compassionate appointment letters. The country will always be proud of its brave martyrs," Shah posted on his social media handle in Hindi.
Shah to chair development review meeting
The Home Minister will chair a review meeting on the development of Jammu and Kashmir at Lok Bhavan, Jammu, to assess progress on key development initiatives and future plans for the Union Territory.
The meeting will be attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief Secretary Atal Duloo, and other senior officials. The Home Minister will leave for New Delhi this afternoon.
