Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stepped in to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir after four terror-related incidents in as many days. In a major move, he asked for the deployment of the full spectrum of India’s counter-terror capabilities in operations against terrorists.
During the review meeting, in which national security adviser Ajit Doval and other top officials were also present, the prime minister got the full overview of the security situation in the union territory. He was also told about the counter-terror efforts being undertaken.
Modi spoke to Union home minister Amit Shah and discussed the deployment of security forces and counter-terror operations. He also spoke to J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha to take stock of the situation.
According to officials, the PM was briefed on the efforts being undertaken by the local administration. This review comes ahead of another security meeting by Shah.
Jammu and Kashmir is faced with a crucial security situation with the Amarnath Yatra beginning at the end of this month till August 19, followed by the assembly elections in September, as per the deadline mandated by the Supreme Court. The central government wants the peaceful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra as well as the elections and is planning to deploy a large number of security forces in the UT.
The recent terror attacks have come as a challenge for the new government with the incident in Reasi happening on the day when Modi and his new Council of Ministers were taking oath on June 9. Terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a gorge, killing nine and injuring 41.
On June 11 evening, five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a special police officer were injured in a terrorist attack in Chattargalla Pass. In another incident later the same day, a suspected Pakistani terrorist was killed by security forces in Kathua district. The overnight encounter ended after a second terrorist was gunned down, but a CRPF jawan was also killed in the operation. Firing was also reported from the Kota top area of Bhalesa in Doda around 7.40 pm on Wednesday (June 12), to which security forces retaliated.
The J&K police have released sketches of four terrorists involved in the two attacks in Doda district and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their arrest. Earlier, police also released a sketch of a terrorist involved in the Reasi attack and announced a Rs 20-lakh reward for information.
A new terror network of on-ground workers (OGW), locals and local terrorists is suspected to be helping foreign terrorists involved in the attacks in J&K in the last 72 hours, as per central intelligence agencies. Top sources in the J&K Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and intelligence agencies said these attacks were desperate attempts by terrorist groups, especially after India successfully conducted the Lok Sabha polls in the UT.
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