Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 9: Top brass of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held high level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the increase in infiltration attempts and internal security disturbances in the Kashmir valley in the wake of spurt in the killings of BSF and police jawans recently in Srinagar, Bijbehara and Anantnag.
Top official sources told the Excelsior that a high level team of the MHA will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir very soon for review of all aspects of security situation including infiltration, killings and Amarnath Ji yatra arrangements. The team would meet top political leadership and officers of security forces, police and civil administration.
Sources said an exclusive review of J&K’s security scenario was held by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi with officials of the Home Ministry including those associated with Internal Security, Border Security Management and Jammu and Kashmir Cell of the MHA.
“The MHA first wanted to assess the situation based on the inputs of security and Intelligence agencies before deputing a high level team of the officers to Jammu and Kashmir to review security and operational preparedness especially in the wake of recent killings and infiltration and upcoming annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath ji shrine, beginning July 2,’’ they said.
Sources said the team reviewed security situation almost on all aspects but with special focus on five issues including infiltration, recent killings of BSF and police jawans, internal security, Border Security Management and Shri Amarnath yatra.
“The reports available with the Home Ministry were discussed in-depth, which mainly pertained to infiltration attempts and spurt in killings for which directions have been issued to security forces and police to take all possible measures to prevent intrusions by the militants from across the border and killings of the cops, which were having adverse impact on the situation,’’ sources said.
There had been ‘very specific inputs’ with the MHA about ‘successful infiltration attempts’ from the LoC in the Kashmir Valley, which was major cause of concern along with involvement of some local youth, though the trend has largely been arrested with the efforts of police and local Intelligence agencies, sources said, adding that the Centre wants local youths to be completely dissuaded from the militancy and stone pelting by putting an effective mechanism in place.
“As far as internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was concerned, the MHA was by and large satisfied with it barring the recent killings of five police personnel and three BSF jawans apart from injuries to several others at Srinagar, Bijbehara and Anantnag and wanted security forces and police to be more vigil and alert to prevent the killings,’’ sources asserted.
On Amarnath ji yatra arrangements, they said, the high level MHA team will personnally visit Jammu and Kashmir for on spot review of the arrangements including deployment of security forces, para-military, police and NDRF teams along the National Highways and twin yatra tracks.
The team was expected to undertake visit in second half of this month, they said, adding that it would meet Governor NN Vohra, who happens to be the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and top officials of security forces, para-military, Jammu and Kashmir Police and civil administration and all those connected with the yatra arrangements.
The team would also inspect the yatra tracks, which were expected to be cleared of snow by June 22 after which deployment of security forces and other would start. The annual pilgrimage is due to start on July 2 and will continue till August 18.
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