Shah orders zero terror, area domination in J&K

New Delhi:  The Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday directed the security agencies to replicate the successes achieved through the area domination and zero terror plan in Kashmir Valley in Jammu division. He also instructed the security stakeholders to ensure a safe and peaceful annual pilgrimage of the “Amarnath Yatra” beginning on June 29.

Noting that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is in its decisive phase and the recent incidents show that terrorism has been forced to shrink from highly organised acts of violence to a mere proxy war, Mr Shah asked security agencies to replicate the successes achieved in Kashmir Valley in Jammu division.

While chairing a high-level meeting in the national capital to review the prevailing security situation in the Jammu region in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, the Union home minister asserted that the government “is determined to root out terrorism”.

According to official sources, Mr Shah directed the security agencies to work in mission mode and ensure quick responses in a coordinated manner. He also stressed ensuring seamless coordination among security agencies, identifying vulnerable areas and addressing security concerns in those areas.

Reiterating the government's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Shah said the government will leave no stone unturned to root out terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

While appreciating the law enforcement and security agencies for the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections, which witnessed record voter turnout in Union territory, he said that the efforts of the Central government have yielded great positive results in the Kashmir Valley, with a significant reduction in terror-related incidents.

The officials said the Union minister was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces are expected to intensify counter-terrorism operations in the coming days.

The operations against terrorists will be carried out in line with the Prime Minister's directive to deploy the "full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities" after a spate of terror incidents, including an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district of the Jammu region.

Mr Shah also chaired a meeting to review the preparations for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on June 29, the officials said, adding that during the deliberation, the Union home minister was given a thorough briefing on the measures taken to ensure a safe and peaceful yatra.

National security adviser Ajit Doval, lieutenant-governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande, Army Chief-designate Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, CRPF director-general Anish Dayal Singh, BSF director-general Nitin Agarwal, Jammu and Kashmir director-general of police R.R. Swain and other top security officials attended the meeting.

Earlier on Friday, Mr Shah was briefed about the security situation in J&K, the deployment of forces along the International Border and the Line of Control, infiltration attempts, the status of ongoing anti-terror operations and the strength of terrorists operating in the UT, sources said.

Terrorists struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir within four days last week, killing nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan and leaving seven security personnel and several others injured. Two suspected Pakistani terrorists were also killed in an encounter with security forces in Kathua district.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Union home minister on June 13 and discussed the deployment of security forces and counter-terror operations. He had also spoken to the J&K L-G and took stock of the situation in the UT.