Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 13: To review security scenario following stepped up infiltration of militants in the Kashmir Valley, similar attempts in Jammu sector and ceasefire violations from across the border and put winter strategy in place for anti-militancy operations, Union Home Secretary RK Singh is arriving here on December 17.
Mr Singh would be holding a high level review of security scenario both on the borders and internal areas with top brass of civil and police administration and para-military officers. He would have a separate meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Home Secretary’s visit comes within days after Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde ruled out withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir till situation improved there and his concern over increase in infiltration of militants in the Valley this year.
Omar had also said yesterday in a public meeting in Rajouri district that the issue of frequent incidents of firing and ceasefire violations in the border areas by Pakistan Army would be taken up with the Central Government for further taking it up with Pakistan.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Mr Singh would hold a high level review of security scenario in a meeting of top brass of administration including civil, police and para-military administration. The meeting would discuss and put in place a winter strategy to deal with militants and infiltration attempts from across the border.
Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary (Home) Suresh Kumar, Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad, heads of para-military forces and Intelligence agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officers would brief the Home Secretary about the situation prevailing on the borders, internal areas of the State, infiltration attempts made by the militants (including some of which were successful in the Valley), ceasefire violations and number of militants waiting across to sneak into this side.
Another important issue pertaining to installation of all weather fencing in the areas, which received heavy snowfall during the winter, would be discussed threadbare in the meeting to insure zero infiltration.
The DGP, who had taken up the issue all weather fencing with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), had stated recently at a press conference here that the MHA was deputing a Group of Engineers to Jammu and Kashmir to upgrade the fencing to such a level that it withstands heavy snow and ensure that the militants didn’t manage to infiltrate into this side when the fencing was damaged due to snowfall.
Sources said the Union Home Secretary would discuss the places, which required all weather fencing. He could also visit some of the forward areas on the International Border in Jammu sector during his day long visit.
He would also call on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and had a separate meeting with him. They would discuss different aspects of the situation in the State. Omar was expected to reiterate his stand for withdrawal of AFSPA from six peaceful districts of the State.
Sources said Mr Singh was also likely to call on Governor NN Vohra, who was expected to be back here in the next couple of days after undergoing knee surgery in New Delhi.
According to sources, the MHA was worried over the reports of infiltration of militants in the Kashmir Valley. There had been reports that some groups of militants had successfully managed to sneak into this side from across the border in the Valley. Though a number of intrusion bids have also been made on the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and International Border in Jammu sector, the success rate was negligible.
During past over one week, Pakistan Army had almost regularly been resorting to heavy firing and ceasefire violations in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district besides the IB in Jammu sector.
According to sources, some decisions to boost cross-LoC trade and visitors on Poonch-Rawlakote and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes would also be discussed by the Home Secretary with the civil administration as there had been reports that the trade and number of cross-LoC visitors have touched an all time low on both the routes.
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