Jammu, Feb 4: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to arrive in Jammu on Thursday for a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
According to his tentative schedule, Shah is expected to reach Jammu around 5 pm on February 5 and proceed directly to Lok Bhavan, where he will chair a security review meeting and may also meet political leaders. On February 6, he is scheduled to visit the Hiranagar border area to review the Border Security Force’s (BSF) preparedness in view of the rising infiltration threat. After returning from the border visit, he will chair another high-level security review meeting at Lok Bhavan in Jammu.
On February 7, the Union Home Minister will travel to Srinagar, where he will chair a meeting and attend a programme to launch development projects before returning to New Delhi.
Ahead of his visit, multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place across Jammu and Kashmir.
The visit assumes significance as intensified counter-terrorism operations are currently underway in Udhampur, Kishtwar and Billawar, along with search operations in border areas of the Jammu region along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), following frequent sightings of suspected militants. On the eve of Shah’s visit, three terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts, while operations were still in progress.
The Home Minister’s visit was preceded by a two-day security review tour by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on January 14 and 15. Mohan’s visit came shortly after Amit Shah chaired a security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on January 8, where he directed all security agencies to remain alert and work in close coordination to sustain the gains achieved after the abrogation of Article 370 and to realise the goal of a “terror-free J&K” at the earliest.
During his visit, Mohan reviewed operational preparedness in a series of meetings in Jammu and emphasised further strengthening the security grid to maintain pressure on terrorists operating in mountainous areas. He also stressed the need to reinforce the anti-infiltration grid through coordinated efforts among all security agencies, with a focus on counter-terror operations, terror infrastructure and developments along the LoC and IB.
Confirming the Home Minister’s itinerary, Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Legislature Sunil Sharma said the visit is primarily focused on security reviews. “The Union Home Minister will be in J&K from February 5 to 7. He will visit two or three places in Jammu, including a border area, and chair security assessment meetings. In Kashmir, he will also chair a meeting related to development,” Sharma told reporters.
Commenting on the security situation, Sharma said there has been a “tremendous change” due to the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. He cited 2025 as an example, claiming that no local youth were recruited into militant ranks in the Kashmir Valley during the year. “This is a big achievement and reflects the firm resolve of the government and security forces,” he said.
On the ongoing encounter in Basantgarh, Sharma said infiltrators challenging the security forces were being dealt with decisively. “Those who cross over and confront our forces are being eliminated. All hiding terrorists will be neutralised,” he added.
National Conference chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said the Home Minister’s visit would be welcome and expressed hope that pressing issues faced by the region would be addressed. He also urged the Home Minister to fulfil the promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
However, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra said the frequent visits by the Union Home Minister indicated that the internal security situation was not as stable as projected. “Several districts in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions have witnessed prolonged encounters over the past few months. The situation is not fully under control,” he said, adding that expectations from the visit remained low. (Agencies)
