An action plan for a secure Jammu and Kashmir is being readied to be implemented in three months, even as a special team will probe all incidents of terrorism that have taken place in Jammu region in last one-and-a-half year, union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday.
The minister, who arrived here this afternoon, was addressing a press conference at the Raj Bhavan, before leaving for New Delhi. Shah was scheduled to visit Rajouri to meet the families of the victims of twin terror attacks, but was not allowed to move towards the border district due to bad weather.
Shah said that he has spoken to the families of all 7 victims from Dangri village, and will come back again to meet them very soon.
Asserting that Rajouri incident shouldn’t be seen in isolation to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said that the union territory has seen significant reduction in terror incidents and the number of casualties of civilians and security forces’ personnel in past three years, and that the situation in the region was by and large peaceful.
Shah on Friday afternoon reviewed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in a high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan, which was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief secretary A K Mehta, northern Army commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi and Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh, along with senior officers of different forces and intelligence agencies.
“A complete, 360 degree review of the security situation was taken today, especially in the Jammu region. All the security forces including the Army, BSF, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir police and State Investigation Agency are 100% alert,” he briefed about the meeting.
He said that an action plan for a secure Jammu and Kashmir is being readied to be implemented in three months.
“In the coming days, an already elaborative and exhaustive security grid will be further strengthened. A time-bound action plan for a secure Jammu and Kashmir is being readied and will be implemented in next three months,” he said.
He also hinted at a major crackdown on the network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) across the UT.
Speaking about the spurt in terror incidents in Jammu region, Shah said that while the terrorist groups want to disturb the peace in the region, the security forces will not allow them to do that.
“I want to assure the people of Jammu (region) that we are alert. The security grid has been tightened. A special team will probe all incidents of terrorism that have taken place in Jammu region in last one-and-a-half year,” said the union Home Minister.
Shah said that the government has already handed over the investigation of Dangri attacks to the National Investigation Agency.
“The NIA along with the active involvement of Jammu and Kashmir Police will investigate the incident. I am sure that very soon, those behind the attacks will be neutralised and will be brought before the court of law to face action for their deeds,” he said.
He also said that the Rajouri incident should not be seen in the isolation.
“A single incident or selective figures cannot be the right parameter to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Ever since (the abrogation of) Article 370, there is a significant reduction in terror incidents and the number of casualties of civilians and security forces’ personnel, while the number of terrorists killed in past three years have gone up,” he said, adding the situation in the region was by and large peaceful.
Asked if the revival of Village Defence Groups was a knee jerk reaction from the government after the Rajouri incident, Shah denied and said that decision in this regard was taken in August 2022.
The Home Minister arrived at the Jammu airport this afternoon and was scheduled to leave for Rajouri to meet the families of those killed in a militant attack in Dangri village on January 1. However, his visit to Rajouri was put on hold as Air Traffic Control has not given clearance for his onward chopper journey due to adverse weather conditions.
“I arrived here to convey my sympathies to the bereaved families. But due to weather, I was not allowed to visit Rajouri. I have spoken to the family members of all seven victims telephonically,” Shah told the reporters.
The home minister said that the spirit and resilience of the bereaved families was exemplary.
“They said that this is their land and they won’t move to any other place because of this incident. Their spirit and their courage is exemplary and the government will assist them in all manners,” said Shah.
He said that the weather forecast for next three days is not favourable and hence he is returning to New Delhi this evening, but he will ‘come back again to meet them very soon’.
