Shah Discusses Recent Terror Attacks At J&K Security Meet, Asks Forces to Strengthen Counter-terrorism Ops

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The security review comes days after killing of four Army men in Poonch in a terrorist attack.

According to the official release from Ministry of Home Affairs, during the course of the meeting, Shah reviewed the recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the area domination plan of security agencies and discussed better coordination among police, army and CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen the security.

The issue of further improving local intelligence network was also discussed in the meeting, the release added.

The release further said that the Home Minster instructed to strengthen the counter-terrorism operations and stressed on the need for complete elimination of terror eco-system. He also advised the security agencies for appropriate deployment in vulnerable areas.

Shah also reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government will continue to adopt a zero- tolerance approach against terrorism.

The release also stated that the Home Minister also appreciated the efforts of the security agencies and administration of the Union Territory for significant decline in terror related incidents, infiltration and improvement in law & order situation.

Among the officials who attended the top-level security meeting, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, National Investigation Agency DG Dinkar Gupta, Director Generals of Central Reserve Police Force and the Border Security Force were present.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka and Army Chief General Manoj Pande were also a part of the attendees of the meeting.

The meeting comes days after a terrorist attack on two army vehicles passing through Dera Ki Gali in Rajouri’s Poonch region killed four soldiers injured three injured on December 21, 2023.

In November last year, four army personnel including two officers (Captains) were killed in the ongoing encounter with terrorists in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Two terrorists were also trapped in an encounter with security forces in Rajouri’s Kalakote area.

In April and May 2023, 10 soldiers were killed in action in twin attacks in the Rajouri-Poonch region. This region had been largely free of terrorism between 2003 and 2021, after which frequent encounters started happening. Over 35 soldiers have been killed in action during anti-terror operations in the area during 2021 and 2022.

Last year on January 13, Home Minister had chaired a similar high-level review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and said that all security agencies are fighting a decisive battle against terrorism following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism under the leadership of PM Modi.

(with agency inputs)