Amit Shah Asks Security Agencies to Implement Area Domination, Zero Terror Plans in Jammu

New Delhi: In view of back to back terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the security situation in the valley. During the meeting with security agencies top officials, Shah directed them to implement the Area Domination and Zero Terror Plans in Jammu division which yielded success in the Kashmir Valley in the past years. During the meeting, Shah also reviewed the preparations for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage scheduled to begin on June 29.

According to sources, the home minister has been given a thorough briefing on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The security forces are expected to intensify counter-terror operations in the coming days. The operations against the terrorists will reportedly be carried out in line with the prime minister's directive. He also asked the agencies to maintain seamless coordination among themselves and directed them to identify sensitive areas and focus on their security.

PM Modi Held a Similar Meeting on Thursday

The meeting started at 11 am in the presence of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, and Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka.

Senior Army officers, including Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Chief of Army Staff (designate) Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of the Central Armed Police Forces, Chief Secretary and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officers, also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah stressed upon the agencies to work in mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner, saying that the Modi government is committed to setting an example by taking action against terrorists through innovative methods.

The Union Home Minister emphasised that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is in a decisive phase as the recent incidents show that terrorism has been forced to shrink from large organised terrorist violence to proxy war adding that the government is committed to ending it completely.

Shah, while reiterating the PM Modi-led government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism, asked agencies to leave no stone unturned to eliminate terrorism from the entire Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister lauded the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration and security agencies for the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections in the valley ensuring record polling.

About three days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a similar meeting on Thursday where he directed officials to deploy the full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities after a spate of terror incidents, including an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district.

Notably, since June 9, there have been terror strikes at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda, where nine pilgrims were killed, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed, a civilian was injured and at least seven security personnel were injured.

CDS General Anil Chauhan to Visit Jammu on Monday

Meanwhile, after attending a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan is likely to visit Jammu on Monday. According to the defence sources, General Chauhan will be visiting 16 core of the Indian Army in Nagrota to review the operational preparedness.

During his visit, the CDS will be briefed on the ongoing anti-terror operations in Jammu region by the Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar.