On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a thorough review of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in response to a spate of terror attacks in the Jammu region since Sunday. These attacks have claimed the lives of ten individuals, including nine civilians and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan. Senior officers from the Home Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) briefed Amit Shah on the current deployment of security forces in the Jammu region, the Line of Control (LOC), and the international border. The review also covered the ongoing combing operations aimed at locating the terrorists responsible for the attacks and the measures being taken to identify their local supporters.
Upcoming Security Meeting with Amit Shah
In light of the recent terror activities, Amit Shah has called for a detailed security meeting on June 16 at North Block. This high-level meeting will include key figures such as Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, senior army officers, Jammu and Kashmir police, central paramilitary forces, and local administration. The agenda of the meeting is to discuss and devise further steps to ensure robust security measures and prepare for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. An unnamed officer mentioned that Amit Shah is expected to provide specific instructions on handling the security situation, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to deploy comprehensive counterterror capabilities in response to the recent attacks.
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Enhancing Border Security Infrastructure
A significant focus of the security review is the enhancement of border infrastructure to prevent cross-border infiltration. Currently, 70 battalions (approximately 70,000 personnel) of central paramilitary forces are deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to manage insurgency and maintain law and order. Additionally, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the army are responsible for securing the border. There are 675 border outposts (BOPs) along the 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan, with plans to complete 31 more by June 2025 and identify sites for 30 additional outposts. In total, there will be 736 BOPs along the western border.
The government has sanctioned a 2,097.646 km fence, of which 2,064.666 km has been completed, with work on the remaining 32.98 km in progress. Intelligence reports indicate an increase in infiltration attempts from the LOC and international border, with Pakistan using proxy outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) to instigate trouble in the region. Despite these attempts, data shows a significant drop in overall infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir since 2017, with only 53 attempts (14 successful) in 2022 and none reported in 2023 up to June.
Recent Terror Attacks and Security Response
The recent terror attacks in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts since Sunday highlight the ongoing threat posed by highly trained foreign terrorists from Pakistan. In Doda’s Chattargala area, a group of militants opened fire on a joint check post of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and the Jammu & Kashmir Police early Wednesday morning, leading to a prolonged gunbattle that left five army personnel and a special police officer injured.
Later that evening, another group of terrorists attacked a police team in the Kota Top area, injuring head constable Fareed Ahmed. In Kathua, a gunbattle that began late Tuesday night continued into Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of a CRPF jawan, injuries to six security personnel and one civilian, and the neutralization of two terrorists. These incidents followed an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi on Sunday, where armed terrorists opened fire, causing the bus to crash into a gorge, resulting in nine deaths and 42 injuries.
In response to these attacks, security forces are strengthening border infrastructure with multi-tiered deployment along the International Border and LOC, especially near changing infiltration routes. Continuous surveillance and patrolling, establishment of observation posts, increased BSF personnel in sensitive areas, construction of border fencing and floodlighting, and the use of advanced technological equipment like handheld thermal imagers (HHTIs), night vision devices (NVDs), twin telescopes, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are part of the strategy to prevent further infiltrations. The intelligence setup is also regularly upgraded to address emerging threats effectively.
Amit Shah’s proactive approach in reviewing and bolstering security in Jammu and Kashmir underscores his dedication to countering terrorism and ensuring the safety and stability of the region. By convening senior officers from the Home Ministry, the Intelligence Bureau, and other key security agencies, Shah has demonstrated a comprehensive strategy to address the recent surge in terror attacks. Amit Shah’s directive for a high-level meeting highlights the government’s commitment to a coordinated and robust response.
Overall, Amit Shah’s actions signal a clear message that the government is fully committed to addressing and mitigating the threats posed by terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring peace and security for its residents.
