Shah lands in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kashmir on a two-day visit to review developmental progress and security preparedness, besides meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Shah’s visit precedes two key upcoming events — the scheduled flagging off of the first train between Katra and Srinagar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19, and the annual Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9.

Both events demand tight security arrangements, particularly given the increased militant activity in Jammu and infiltration along the border.

His visit, seen as politically and strategically significant, includes meetings with key leaders and officials as well as outreach to the families of slain security personnel.

Shah landed at the Technical Airport in Srinagar on Monday evening at around 6:35 pm.

He was received by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, CM’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary Education Shantmanu, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and several senior BJP leaders including Darakhshan Andrabi, Sofi Yusuf, and Altaf Thakur.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, J&K BJP Unit President Sat Sharma, and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma were among those accompanying Shah.

Soon after his arrival, Shah, along with LG Sinha, CM Omar, and CM’s Advisor Wani, visited the residence of fallen Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Humayun Muzamil Bhat at Friends Colony near the Srinagar airport.

DSP Humayun was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in the Kokernag forests of Anantnag in September 2023, along with four other officers.

Paying homage, Shah expressed deep condolences and assured the bereaved family that the nation stands firmly behind them.

The union minister met the late officer’s father, retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Hassan Bhat, and offered condolences.

DSP Humayun Muzammil Bhat lost his life in September 2023 during a fierce gunfight with terrorists in the dense forests of Gadool village in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

The operation, which lasted several days, also claimed the lives of three other security personnel. Humayun was leading from the front when he sustained critical injuries and later succumbed.

“The courage and sacrifice of DSP Humayun Bhat will never be forgotten. The government is committed to eradicating terrorism from J&K,” Shah told the family.

After meeting the DSP Humayun’s family, Shah straightway drove to the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar.

According to official sources, the Home Minister will chair two high-level meetings on Tuesday at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar.

The first, which will also be attended by the CM, will have a comprehensive review of the ongoing developmental projects in J&K.

The second will focus on the evolving security situation, with a specific emphasis on infiltration threats from across the border, especially in Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda districts.

“The movement of terrorists in Kathua and their suspected links to infiltrations from Pakistan are a serious concern. A detailed strategy to address the situation will be formulated during the meeting,” a senior official from the security establishment said. “Besides security arraignments for forthcoming Amarnath Yatra and railway inauguration will also be discussed.”

Sources said top officials from the Home Ministry, J&K Police, Army, CRPF, BSF, and intelligence agencies will be part of the discussions.

Those who will be present include Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Chief Secretary, GOC Northern Command, GOCs of 14, 15, and 16 Corps, DGP, IGPs of Kashmir and Jammu, and senior officials of intelligence agencies.

For his visit, a three-tier security system is in place in Srinagar.

A large number of J&K Police and paramilitary personnel manned the roads while checkpoints were erected at several locations.