New Delhi: With winter knocking and the mountain passes in Jammu and Kashmir set to become snow-bound, home minister Amit Shah on Thursday reviewed the law and order situation in the Union Territory and asked the forces to be on 100% alert against any attempts by Pakistan and PoK-based terrorists to exploit the snowfall and infiltrate across the border.The J&K review meeting – attended by LG Manoj Sinha, the Union home secretary, Intelligence Bureau director, Chief of Army Staff, central paramilitary forces heads and the chief secretary and DGP of J&K – took stock of the security scenario, particularly in the aftermath of the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, in which 26 persons including 25 tourists from different parts of the country, were brutally gunned down. The attack prompted retaliatory strikes by the Indian forces as part of Operation Sindoor, which not only destroyed only terror hubs but also caused heavy damage to military facilities in Pakistan. The military assets were hit after the Pakistani forces tried to target civilian and secrurity facilities in India.
At the J&K review meeting here on Thursday, Shah reaffirmed PM Modi government’s unwavering commitment to achieving the goal of a terrorism-free Jammu and Kashmir. He said that thanks to the sustained efforts of the security agencies, “the terrorist network nurtured by enemies of the nation in Jammu and Kashmir has been crippled”. Shah also assured that all necessary resources will continue to be provided to take these efforts further. He insisted that the Indian security forces continue to enjoy full freedom of action to crush any attempt at threatening peace and security in the region.Shah was all praise for the steps taken by the UT administration and security agencies to strengthen the security grid following the Pahalgam terror attack. He emphasised the vital role of all security agencies in working in a coordinated and vigilant manner to eliminate terrorism from the region.At the same time, the home minister alerted the security personnel against attempts by foreign terrorists to take advantage of the snow to sneak into J&K. He directed the forces to stay fully prepared to ensure that terrorists do not exploit the snowfall to infiltrate across the border.
