In J&K for the first time since scrapping of Article 370, Amit Shah seeks explanation for terror attacks, visits family of slain cop

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Srinagar on Saturday for his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was revoked in August 2019, met the family of a police officer killed by terrorists earlier this year, and reviewed the security situation and steps taken to combat terrorism in Kashmir Valley.

Shah reviewed the security scenario at a meeting held at the Raj Bhawan and attended by top civil administration officials, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and senior security officials from the Army, CRPF, police and other agencies, officials said.

The home minister was briefed about the steps taken to eliminate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir and counter-infiltration measures taken by the forces, the officials said.

Shah's visit to Kashmir comes in the backdrop of 11 civilian killings in the valley in October alone. Five of those killed were labourers from Bihar, while three, including two teachers, belonged to minority communities in Kashmir.

A senior Home ministry functionary told NDTV that security agencies have presented their side in an inquiry into why, despite a massive build-up of Indian forces in the area and extensive outreach efforts by the government, the twin threats of radicalisation and home-grown terrorism were on the rise.

A ministry official told NDTV: "The narrative of the Centre is that J&K is safe for everyone… but these killings prove minorities and outsiders are not safe. This is a big concern for government… so a strategy to further reassure people was discussed".

Shah has asked for explanations on prolonged encounters and anti-terror operations.

Shah will also be visiting Jammu where he will address a public rally, during his three-day trip to the Union Territory and also flag off the inaugural Srinagar-Sharjah flight.

He was received at the Srinagar airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, officials said.

From the airport, Shah went straight to the residence of Inspector Parvaiz Ahmad in Nowgam on the outskirts of the city. The police officer was shot dead on 22 June as he was returning home after praying at a local mosque.

Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting later in the day and will also flag off the Srinagar-Sharjah flight. He is also likely to interact with members of a youth club.

This is Shah's first visit since Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 was revoked on August 5, 2019, and the state bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

His earlier visit to Jammu and Kashmir took place just after he became the home minister in 2019. He had then reviewed security for the Amarnath Yatra and taken stock of progress on central schemes.

Security was beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Shah's visit that comes in the wake of the spate of civilians, particularly non-locals and minorities, being killed. Additional forces have been deployed, particularly in the city, officials said.

Fifty companies of additional paramilitary forces, about 5,000 troopers, are being inducted into the Valley.
Bunkers manned by CRPF forces have come up in several areas of the city as well as in other parts of Kashmir valley, the officials said.

"The CRPF along with Jammu and Kashmir police conducted aerial surveillance using drones at the city's area where the members from the minority communities reside," said Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations CRPF Matthew A John soon after the drone surveillance exercise. "The move comes in the wake of recent attacks on minorities and non-local workers," he added.

The officer further said that "additional checkpoints have been set up in the vicinity of Lal Chowk which will be under the surveillance of security forces 24/7."

In an interview to NDTV, he also added that snipers and sharpshooters have been deployed at special places and vehicles and people are being frisked to ensure safety and security.

Moreover, officials in plain clothes will monitor areas across Srinagar to track terrorists and those helping them spread terror. At least 10 CRPF companies and 15 BSF teams from Delhi have been deployed in Srinagar.

With inputs from PTI



from Firstpost India Latest News https://ift.tt/3vAP9Rw
FP Staff

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