Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 11: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has carried out extensive review of security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir including steps required to wean away local youth from the terrorism and stone pelting and steps required to keep militancy and law and order situation well under control. The coordination between Intelligence agencies and security forces and police, who were dealing with militancy and law and order situation, was high on agenda of the Central Government.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had deputed two high ranking officers including Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Dineshwar Sharma and Centre Government’s Special Envoy on Extremism and Counter Terrorism, Syed Asif Ibrahim, former chief of the IB to meet with top brass of the State Government, Army, para-military forces, Intelligence agencies and Jammu and Kashmir and discuss with them the steps required to maintain peace in the State.
The visit of top Intelligence officer and Special Envoy on Counter Terrorism to the Kashmir Valley came amidst specific Intelligence inputs both with Centre and State Governments that the militants were trying to increase the violence in the State and that infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control (LoC) could also go up in the coming days.
Sources said Ibrahim and Sharma, who came with rich experience in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), held detailed discussions with Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha, Intelligence chief AG Mir and other heads of para-military forces and Intelligence agencies operating in Kashmir.
Sources said the two officers would prepare comprehensive report on the security situation and perception gathered by them during their meetings and submit their findings to the Union Home Minister, who was deeply concerned about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. They added that though the security scenario was under control at present with no major terror act or law and problem reported from any part of the State, there had been reports that the militants and their mentors were trying to up the violence.
“The Central officers took view point of top brass of the Government, Army, para-military forces, police and Intelligence agencies on the situation prevailing along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), hinterland of the State, number of the militants operating in the State and those camping across LoC and IB with a view to infiltrate into the State,” sources said, adding the two officers would brief the Home Minister about their assessment of the situation shortly after which Rajnath Singh could undertake a visit to all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said apart from security scenario, the Central team also discussed certain internal developments in the Kashmir valley like raising of Islamic State and Pakistani flags by some youths recently. The officers were briefed that number of such youths was very less and areas of their operation were also confined. However, the Centre Government, according to sources, wanted such youths to be weaned away from anti-national activities as they could be pushed to militancy.
“The activities of separatist leaders also came up for review,” sources said, adding the Central Government was presently not inclined to talk to the separatists. However, it didn’t want to completely shut the doors on separatists especially the moderate ones.
According to sources, the MHA also wants to take the opinion of State Government on every aspect of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and keep it (the Government) well informed of the Centre’s policy vis-à-vis Kashmir and Pakistan.
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