Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 4: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval along with top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs today reached Srinagar for high-level review of security situation tomorrow and visit to holy cave shrine to assess arrangements made for the pilgrims by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and the Government.
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Joined by Doval, Union Home Secretary, Rajiv Gauba, Joint Secretary MHA, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir, Gyanesh Kumar and other senior officers of the MHA, Rajnath reached Srinagar this afternoon and met Governor NN Vohra for detailed briefing on Jammu and Kashmir security situation after the imposition of Governor’s rule in the State on June 19 including operations launched against militants in the hinterland and security arrangements in place for Shri Amarnath Ji yatra, which had started on June 28 and will continue till August 26 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The Gove-rnor was reported to have briefed the Union Home Minister on the security including militancy front, recent floods, Shri Amarnath Ji yatra and various other aspects of Kashmir situation.
An official handout issued by the Raj Bhavan said Rajnath Singh held discussions with Governor NN Vohra on various important issues relating to security management, implementation of development programmes and positive engagement of the youth in the State.
The Governor briefed the Home Minister about ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji yatra, it added.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has provided highest number of para-military companies for Shri Amarnath Ji yatra security this year keeping in view last year’s attack on a yatri bus in which eight pilgrims were killed and scores of others were injured.
Tomorrow, Rajnath Singh will himself review security and other arrangements made for the pilgrims by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and the Government by visiting the cave shrine. He will be accompanied by the Governor, who happens to be the Chairman of the Shrine Board and top MHA officials.
On his return from the cave shrine, Rajnath will chair high-level security review meeting in Srinagar, which will be attended by the Governor, his three Advisors-BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ganai and top brass of all security and Intelligence agencies, operating in Jammu and Kashmir and civil administration.
The Home Minister is scheduled to fly back to the Union capital late tomorrow afternoon. Reacting to yesterday’s tragedy on Baltal track in which three pilgrims were killed and four others injured, Rajnath tweeted: “Anguished beyond words on the loss of precious lives due to a landslide on the Baltal route of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and my prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.
Rajnath had visited Jammu and Kashmir for two days on June 7 and 8 for security review and other engagements. This is his second visit to the State in less than a month.
On his arrival at Technical Airport, Srinagar, the Home Minister was received by Advisors to Governor, BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Shesh Pal Vaid, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr Sehrish Asgar and senior officers of paramilitary forces.
This was after a long time that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, who has been a key player in the Centre Government on Jammu and Kashmir situation, albeit behind the scene, accompanied Rajnath Singh to Jammu and Kashmir for review of security situation. This, according to sources, was due to the fact that Doval doctrine, which is known as hard approach in dealing with terrorism and violence, was not approved by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
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