AMMU, Mar 31: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir to hold high level review of security situation, most likely on April 7 and 8, during which he will also visit the International Border (IB) and houses of some of the police martyrs.
However, detailed itinerary of the Home Minister’s visit and dates of the tour are being finalized and are expected to be announced in next couple of days, official sources told the Excelsior.
The Home Minister’s visit comes days after fierce gun battle at Safiyan Jakhole in Rajbagh area of Kathua district in which two terrorists have been killed so far while four police personnel have attained martyrdom.
Sources said Shah will hold meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, top officers of paramilitary forces, Intelligence agencies, Jammu and Kashmir Police and civil administration to review security situation in the UT with special reference to the Jammu region.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, MHA officers Incharge Jammu and Kashmir and senior Army officers in J&K are also expected to attend the meeting while heads of paramilitary forces including the BSF and CRPF will accompany the Home Minister from New Delhi.
From December to February, Shah has held five security review meetings on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi. However, this is for the first time after Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir that he will review the security situation in Jammu.
Sources said the Home Minister is also likely to visit the International Border where infiltration has been reported from Pakistan side for on spot assessment of the situation and steps required to plug the intrusions.
Shah is likely to meet family members of some of the police martyrs during his visit here.
However, as per the sources detailed schedule of Shah’s visit is being finalized and will be released within two days. Exact date(s) of the visit are also being worked out but tentative dates of his tour are stated to be April 7 and 8.
“The Home Ministry is concerned about infiltration of terrorists from the International Border and subsequent incidents. Steps are likely to be discussed to ensure zero infiltration from the borders and elimination of the terrorists who have managed to sneak-in,” the sources said.
Sources said the discussions are expected to focus on counter-terrorism operations, cross-border infiltration attempts, and the overall security landscape in the Union Territory.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Government has intensified its counter-terrorism operations and launched various initiatives to bolster infrastructure and development in the region.
Shah’s upcoming visit is seen as a continuation of these efforts, with a focus on strengthening security mechanisms and ensuring the safety of civilians.
Shah had also visited Jammu during the recent Assembly elections in the Union Territory. In September 2024, he launched the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election campaign in the region.
During his visit, Shah addressed party workers and public rallies, emphasizing the BJP’s commitment to development and security in the Union Territory.
This, however, will be Amit Shah’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir post Assembly elections and formation of Omar Abdullah Government. He reviewed security situation of the UT once in December and twice in January and February in New Delhi with LG Manoj Sinha and top officers of different security agencies. He met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah separately.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan also visited Jammu few days back and reviewed the security situation with senior officers of different security agencies including Jammu and Kashmir Police.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to flag off train to the Kashmir valley on April 19 from Katra, security of the railway track and railway stations will also become a major task for the security agencies.
