Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, January 8, presided over a crucial high-level meeting in New Delhi to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting focused on strategies to completely eradicate terrorism from the Union Territory.
Zero-Tolerance Stance and Mission Mode Directive
During the review, Amit Shah reiterated the government's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. He asserted that counter-terrorism operations, specifically those targeting terrorist infrastructure and terror financing networks, must continue in "mission mode." The ultimate objective, as stated by the Home Minister, is to establish lasting peace and make Jammu and Kashmir completely free from terror.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a press release, quoted Shah saying, "the Government of India is committed to establish lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir and completely eliminate terrorism." He credited the sustained and coordinated efforts of the Modi government for crippling the terror eco-system in the region.
Sustaining Post-370 Gains Through Coordination
A key emphasis of the meeting was on consolidating the security advancements made since the historic abrogation of Article 370. Shah directed all security agencies to remain in a state of high alert and work in seamless synergy. He instructed them to ensure that the gains achieved are not only sustained but also built upon to achieve the goal of a 'terror-free J&K' at the earliest.
The Home Minister assured the agencies that all necessary resources would be made available for this critical national endeavor. He also appreciated the efforts of the security forces in strengthening the overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.
High-Level Attendance and Recent Context
The significant meeting saw the participation of top officials, including:
- Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha
- Union Home Secretary
- Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir
- Heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other senior officers.
The security review comes in the backdrop of a recent encounter. A day prior, on January 7, a gunfight had erupted between terrorists and security forces in a remote village of the Kathua district in Jammu. Officials reported that the encounter began after security forces launched a search operation based on specific intelligence.
The high-level meeting underscores the central government's continued focus on security in the region, balancing robust counter-terror actions with the long-term vision of sustainable peace and normalcy.
