Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 19: In the backdrop of continued firing and shelling by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today held a high level review of security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir at his North Block office in New Delhi and discussed the measures to keep infiltration under control. The security preparedness in the State for forthcoming Assembly elections and the militants’ plots to disturb them were also discussed.
However, the prevailing situation along the International Border in Jammu, where Pakistan has repeatedly been violating ceasefire and pounding forward BSF posts and civilian areas, figured prominently in the meeting that lasted one and a half hours.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the meeting among others was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami, Intelligence Bureau Director Syed Asif Ibrahim and Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) DK Pathak.
The top security officials briefed the Home Minister about their assessment of the situation including steps taken to keep graph of infiltration to minimum and tackle the militants, who were operating in the State.
Sources said the Union Home Minister directed the BSF to give effective response to ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the International Border. He took strong note of the targeting of civilian population on the borders including injuries suffered by the locals and loss of cattle in firing by the Rangers during past few days in Arnia sector.
The DG BSF gave a detailed account of the situation prevailing on the borders to the Home Minister.
Sources said the security officials maintained that there was no reason to worry and situation was well under control on the borders though it was tense after frequent shelling of border villages by the Rangers. They added that the Indian side has given matching response to the Rangers and ensured that there was no infiltration by the militants.
Sources said Rajnath was also briefed on number of the militants camping across the border and those who were operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The Intelligence agencies have reports that there were about 200 militants operating in the State and Pakistan was trying to increase their number considerably by trying to push more militants under the cover of firing from both LoC and IB.
Apart from the situation prevailing on the borders, Rajnath Singh also discussed the situation ahead of Assembly elections in the State, which were scheduled to be held in November-December. The demand of J&K’s security agencies for about 700 additional battalions of para-military forces figured in the meeting.
Sources said the Home Ministry was not averse to giving 700 additional companies of para-military forces to Jammu and Kashmir as it wants to hold free and fair Assembly elections there at any cost. However, a final decision on number of the additional para-military companies to be sent to the State would be taken in a meeting between officials of Jammu and Kashmir and the MHA later, they added.
Sources disclosed that the Union Home Minister called upon the BSF to step up surveillance on the International Border and don’t allow any infiltration attempt to succeed as the Intelligence agencies of the Government of India had reports that basic aim of Pakistan behind firing and shelling was to push the militants into the Indian territory under the cover of firing.
Rajnath Singh wanted the civilians in the border areas to be protected at any cost. He also issued necessary directions to the officials of his Ministry for forwarding them to the State Government in the event of firing and shelling prolonging on the International Border.
Sources said the Union Home Minister directed all security and Intelligence agencies to keep him abreast of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on regular basis.
Follow our WhatsApp channel