Srinagar, July 1 (IANS) In the wake of sudden surge in militancy-related violence and a a day ahead of the commencement of Amarnath Yatra, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in a high level meeting here.
The meeting, chaired by Singh, was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti besides Chief Secretary B.R. Sharma, Director General of Police K. Rajendra Kumar and senior officials from the army, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Border Security Force and intelligence agencies.
Singh was briefed about the steps taken for ensuring incident-free Amarnath Yatra.
The meeting deliberated upon the strategic issues pertaining to situation in the state with particular reference to development projects of the state, officials said.
During the meeting a range of issues pertaining to the state were discussed. The Home Minister assured of positive outcomes on issues of opening of more LoC routes for trade, giving permission to foreigners to visit Ladakh including Nubra valley, quick resolution of land related issues and increasing ex gratia payment to families of martyred J&K police personnel, officials said.
Singh also instructed the CRPF and the BSF to explore the possibility of conducting special recruitment drives in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, state government sources said that all officials who are part of the unified headquarters will be present during the meeting.
The unified headquarters is the apex security grid in the state formed to create synergy among various intelligence agencies and security forces engaged in anti-militancy operations.
A three-member team of the Union Home Ministry was camped in Srinagar for three days this week to submit a report to the minister on the Pampore shootout in which eight CRPF troopers were killed and 22 others injured.
Militants have carried out at least two deadly attacks on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway during the last one month in which 12 paramilitary troopers were killed and around 30 others have been injured.
The highway is the only road link used by thousands of Amarnath-bound pilgrims each year during the annual Yatra.
