Security agencies alerted ahead of Ram temple consecration
Major focus on Rajouri, Poonch; more paramilitary forces likely
Local polls, fiscal position, Ind Policy, tourism issues reviewed
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today called for strengthening counter-terrorism operations and complete elimination of terror eco-system in Jammu and Kashmir as he called for “appropriate deployment’’ of security forces in vulnerable areas.
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Shah issued these instructions at a high-level security review meeting in New Delhi on Jammu and Kashmir with special focus on Rajouri and Poonch districts which witnessed surge in terror attacks in 2023 with martyrdom of 19 soldiers in four incidents.
After the meeting, Shah approved ‘Jammu & Kashmir Security Model’ aimed at eliminating terrorism in all forms and in all places and directed all security and Intelligence agencies to unitedly fight the menace vigorously.
Officials said the Home Minister is understood to have directed all security and Intelligence agencies to step up the guard ahead of Shri Ram Ji temple consecration at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on January 22 as the terrorists backed by Pakistan could make attempt to vitiate peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.
The ‘Jammu & Kashmir Security Model’ include elimination of terrorism, intensifying search and combing operations in all vulnerable areas of Rajouri and Poonch to finish of 30-odd terrorists hiding there, ensuring that there is no local support to the militants, identification and arrest of Over Ground Workers (OGWs), strengthening Intelligence network for speedy info on terror hideouts, complete coordination among all security agencies for quick action, strengthening vigil on the borders with Pakistan to ensure zero infiltration despite foggy weather conditions, acting tough on those promoting terror using Social Media, mobilization of Village Defence Groups (VDGs), attachment of properties of militants, OGWs and others supporting militancy to maintain pressure on them and keeping local people with them with pro-people welfare measures and schemes besides other issues, the officials said.
They added that more paramilitary troops are likely to be deployed in Rajouri and Poonch for joint operations along with Army and Police.
Besides security, sources said, the conduct of Panchayat and Municipal elections, financial issues, recruitment, tourism and Industrial Policy of Jammu and Kashmir also came for review during two and half-hour long meeting.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Army chief Gen Manoj Pande, Union Home Secretary RK Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) RK Goyal, DGP RR Swain and heads of all paramilitary forces attended the meeting among others.
Priority the Central and J&K Governments attach to elimination of terror threat can be well gauged from the fact that this was second high-level security review on Rajouri and Poonch districts in past one week. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Rajouri on December 27 and reviewed the situation with LG Manoj Sinha, top Army Commanders and police officials.
Reviewing area domination plan of security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah called upon them, to eliminate threat of the terrorism. He assessed working of Security Grid and overall security situation in the UT and called upon security forces to strengthen counter-terrorism operation and completely eliminate terror eco-system.
He advised security agencies for appropriate deployment in vulnerable areas and reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government will continue to adopt zero-tolerance approach against terrorism.
Shah stressed that all due procedures should be adopted while dealing with counter-terror operations. This was reportedly an indication to ensure that there are no civilian killings while dealing with the terrorists.
Three civilians died under mysterious circumstances a day after four soldiers were martyred and three others were injured in an ambush laid by the terrorists at Dera Ki Gali in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district on December 21 prompting shifting of three senior officers of Army besides an inquiry. The civil administration paid compensation and announced a job each for kin of the victims.
The Home Minister underlined the importance of further strengthening the local intelligence network.
He appreciated efforts of security agencies and J&K administration for significant decline in terror related incidents, infiltration and improvement in law and order situation.
Officials said besides law and order situation, the Union Home Minister also reviewed development works in Jammu and Kashmir including those under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Prime Minister’s Development Plan and others.
Conduct of Municipal and Panchayat elections, financial issues of the UT, expeditious recruitment which is already on and Industrial Policy which has brought investment proposals to the tune of nearly Rs 85,000 crore also came up for the review at the high-level meeting.
Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts in Jammu region witnessed a series of encounters last year that left 54 persons, including 28 terrorists and 19 security personnel, dead.
The officials have ascribed the uptick in violence to “desperate attempts from across the border” to revive terrorism in the region.
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