New Delhi: Despite recent efforts to curb terrorism, the shadow of terror still looms over Kashmir. Intelligence reports warn of potential terrorist plots targeting the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, local elections, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impending visit to the region. In response, central agencies, security forces, and the local administration are ramping up security measures.
The heightened security protocols come as a direct consequence of intelligence alerts about increased threats and potential attacks by terrorist groups within Kashmir. These precautions are deemed crucial not only for the safety of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims but also in anticipation of the assembly elections scheduled post-Yatra.
A pivotal security review meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set for Sunday. Insiders suggest that this meeting may result in the deployment of additional security forces to Jammu and Kashmir.
In preparation for these events, earlier this month, reinforcements were dispatched from various Indian cities to bolster the existing central police forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The recent surge in attacks has prompted officials to call for even more personnel. Notably, Jammu is expected to receive an influx of bulletproof vehicles to safeguard troop movement. The CRPF may also deploy specialized anti-terrorism rapid action teams to support local law enforcement.
Social media platforms have seen a worrying uptick in threatening posts purportedly from terror groups, doubling since the tragic Reasi bus attack on June 9th that claimed nine civilian lives. Central Intelligence has appointed a high-ranking officer to oversee input generation and coordination with security forces to address any terrorist presence indicated by these inputs.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has scheduled a comprehensive review meeting on June 16th at North Block to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and finalize preparations for the Amarnath Yatra. This meeting will convene key figures including the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, National Security Advisor, Union Home Secretary, military and police representatives, Jammu and Kashmir Administration, and senior Home Ministry officials.
This series of meetings follows three terrorist incidents within a 72-hour span in Jammu and Kashmir. A recent attack near the international border resulted in civilian injuries and led to a search operation that eliminated one terrorist, with efforts ongoing to capture an accomplice suspected of border infiltration. Another attack targeted a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori temple to Katra; the ensuing gunfire caused the bus to plummet into a gorge, resulting in nine fatalities and 41 injuries.
