Srinagar,22,Oct:Shah is expected to review security with police and security forces and devise a fresh strategy to deal with militants.
This will be Shah’s first visit to J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The security across Kashmir especially in Srinagar has been beefed up ahead of the HM’s three-day visit to J&K. The police and central armed police force have been asked to be on an alert. Frisking has also been increased in various localities of Srinagar. The security forces continue to seize two wheelers, even though police maintain that this has nothing to do with the Home Minister’s visit. In the last two days, hundreds of two wheelers have been seized by police in various police stations.
“Forces are maintaining a high vigil alert ahead of the visit to avoid any untoward incident,” said a security officer.
As per the advisory by Police, the Gupkar Road and part of the Boulevard would remain closed during the three day visit of Shah.
During the three-day visit, the Home Minister, sources said, would be holding a high level security review meeting in Srinagar where officers from various security and intelligence agencies are going to brief the minister about the overall situation and steps being taken to stop targeted civilian killings.
Shah is also scheduled to review the progress in the implementation of various developmental projects under the Prime Minister’s package . He would also be interacting with Panchayati Raj representatives and some mainstream politicians in Kashmir.
The visit comes at a time when there have been a series of targeted killings in Kashmir. In October, 11 civilians, mostly migrant workers and minorities, were killed in targeted attacks. Security forces have also stepped up anti-militancy operations and 18 militants have been killed . Forces have also lost 10 of its men in J&K this month.
