Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving in Jammu on Thursday on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, amid intensified counter-terrorism operations across the region.
According to his tentative schedule, Shah is expected to reach Jammu around 5 pm on February 5 and proceed directly to Lok Bhavan, where he will chair a high-level security review meeting. He may also hold interactions with political leaders during his stay in Jammu.
On February 6, the Home Minister is scheduled to visit the Hiranagar border area to review the Border Security Force’s preparedness in view of the increasing threat of infiltration. A second high-level security review meeting is planned at Lok Bhavan later in the day after his return from the border visit.
On February 7, Shah will travel to Srinagar, where he is slated to chair meetings related to security and development and attend a programme to launch development projects, before departing for New Delhi.
Ahead of the visit, layered security arrangements have been put in place across Jammu and Kashmir. The visit assumes significance as security forces are currently engaged in intensified counter-terror operations in Udhampur, Kishtwar and Billawar districts, along with search operations along the Line of Control and the International Border in the Jammu region following frequent sightings of suspected militants.
On the eve of the Home Minister’s visit, three terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts, while operations were still underway.
The visit follows a two-day security review of Jammu and Kashmir conducted by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on January 14 and 15. Mohan’s visit came shortly after Shah chaired a security review meeting in New Delhi on January 8, during which security agencies were directed to remain alert and maintain coordination to sustain the gains achieved after the abrogation of Article 370 and work towards the goal of a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir.
