Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on the eve of Independence Day as unrest in the Kashmir valley today entered into 37th day. The high level review of security situation came following reports that the militants could again mix up in the crowds to create trouble on Independence day.
Northern Command chief Lt Gen D S Hooda also rushed to the Kashmir valley and took detailed assessment of the situation with top Army Commanders including Srinagar based 15 Corps chief Lt Gen Satish Dua, all General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of local command formations and Rashtriya Rifles on the current situation, steps taken to restore peace and normalcy with the assistance of security and Government agencies, ensuring peaceful Independence Day, keeping infiltration level on the Line of Control (LoC) to zero and checking militancy in the hinterland.
Highly placed sources told the Excelsior that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Dineshwar Sharma, RAW chief and Home Ministry officials, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir desk gave extensive briefing to Rajnath Singh on the situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir at the high level security review meeting in the Union capital.
“The last night’s grenade attack at Poonch town, targeting Shri Budha Amarnath Ji pilgrims by a militant also figured in the meeting,” sources said, adding the officials briefed the Home Minister that there were no fatal casualties in the blast and about 18 persons including nine pilgrims were injured.
They briefed the Home Minister that all pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir including Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir, Shri Budha Amarnath Ji in border district of Poonch and Shri Machail Mata Ji in Kishtwar were progressing smoothly. The pilgrimages to Shri Amarnath Ji and Budha Amarnath Ji will conclude on August 18 on the pious occasion of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The Home Minister, according to sources, is understood to have directed for showing no leniency in security arrangements for all yatras even though number of the pilgrims visiting Shri Amarnath ji shrine has come down considerably due to Kashmir unrest.
Sources said Rajnath Singh directed all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and police to take all possible measures to ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations.
“A special directions has gone to all security and Intelligence agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that the anti-national elements don’t succeed in displaying Pakistani or other anti-national flags or indulge in any other kind of unhealthy practices during the Independence Day,” sources said.
Top brass of the security establishment briefed Rajnath Singh on steps taken to foil any attempt by terrorists and other elements to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said, adding that security forces have been asked to maintain very high alert along the borders to thwart infiltration attempt by the militants, who were hell bent to create disturbances in the State.
“The CAPFs and police have been asked to maintain strict vigil on the protesters as there were reports that the militants could mix up with the mob and target security forces and police installations,” sources said.
Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir valley on the eve of Independence Day during his visit to the Awantipur based Victor Force.
The Army Commander was briefed by Chinar Corps Commander (Srinagar based, 15 Corps), Lt Gen Satish Dua, all the General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of local formations and Rashtriya Rifles on the current security situation prevailing in the Valley.
The Army Commander also reviewed the measures taken for restoring calm and normalcy in coordination with all security and other Government agencies. He stressed for heightened vigil by the troops along the LoC to thwart infiltration attempts and in the hinterland to check any kind of attacks on security forces installations.
Expressing his satisfaction over the synergized functioning of the entire security apparatus, Lt Gen Hooda stressed for the need to take necessary steps to ensure adequate domination and security of the lines of communication so as to keep them open for the general public. He further stressed that free movement is necessary for providing essential services to the people, thus, reducing their hardships.
He reiterated the need to exercise maximum restraint as is being shown by security forces and continue with their positive engagement with the people to lend them all possible assistance.
The Army Commander made an earnest appeal to the people, especially the youth to maintain calm and join hands to restore normalcy in the Valley.
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