Union Home Secretary to chair winter review meeting in Srinagar

Srinagar, Dec 29: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan will chair a high-level meeting in Srinagar on Monday to review winter preparedness, the security situation, and the developmental scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting is expected to focus on crucial issues such as post-snowfall challenges, anti-terror operations, and infiltration threats along the Line of Control (LoC).

Mohan is scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on Monday morning.

According to official sources, the meeting would be held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar and witness the participation of top civilian, Police, and military officials.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s 15 Corps, and other senior officers from intelligence agencies are expected to attend the meeting.

The review meeting would delve into multiple aspects of J&K’s preparedness for the winter season. Officials said that with heavy snowfall expected in the coming months, emphasis would be laid on ensuring uninterrupted essential services like power and water supply, road connectivity, and medical facilities in snow-bound areas.

Security concerns remain a top priority, sources said, with the meeting slated to discuss strategies to counter infiltration attempts and strengthen anti-terror operations in Union Territory.

Sources said that the recent uptick in cross-border attempts to push terrorists into J&K necessitated a robust action plan to curb such activities.

Additionally, the developmental scenario in J&K would also come under review, including the implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes and winter-specific projects.

The meeting would address post-snowfall scenarios, particularly in areas prone to avalanches and landslides, which often disrupt connectivity and hamper rescue operations.

Officials would present their preparedness plans to minimise disruptions and ensure timely delivery of services.

With winter conditions impacting terrain and operations along the LoC, the security forces have been asked to remain on high alert.

Infiltration attempts typically increase during snowfall as terrorists exploit harsh weather conditions to cross into Kashmir.

Counter-infiltration grid reinforcement and coordination between security agencies are expected to be key points of discussion.

The Union Home Secretary would also review the progress of developmental initiatives, including those aimed at improving infrastructure and employment opportunities in J&K.

Officials would provide updates on ongoing projects and highlight bottlenecks that need immediate attention.

Post snowfall, a security meeting to be chaired by the Union Home Secretary is not happening for the first time.

There have been instances when the central government has stepped in as Kashmir experienced heavy snowfall and subsequent breakdown of services.

In 2010, when Kashmir was engulfed in unrest, the then Union Home Secretary G K Pillai visited Srinagar to review the law and order situation in violence-hit Kashmir.

His visit had come in the backdrop of the Cabinet Committee on Security that had met in New Delhi and discussed the situation in Kashmir where the Army had been deployed to assist the civil authorities in restoring normalcy following violence.