Rajnath Singh reviews situation in J&K

Union home minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the security arrangements in the Kashmir Valley, particularly in the wake of Id-ul Zuha festival next week. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officials from top intelligence and security agencies were also present at the meeting.

The home ministry has already directed security forces, including the Army, to increase their presence in south Kashmir, particularly in rural areas, which witnessed maximum violence during the ongoing agitation. The Army and security forces have already started an area domination exercise in the region to regain control in the rural areas so that protesters who are being backed by the separatist are pushed on the back foot.

It was decided, sources said, to deploy additional para-military forces in and around Srinagar during the festival.

“There is a possibility that separatist will try and trigger fresh violence during the festival next week so we are taking necessary preventive measures for it. Situation in South Kashmir was also reviewed and we are hopeful that things will improve over the next few days,” a senior security official said.

Meanwhile, the home minister also met a youth from Jammu and Kashmir who topped the examination for assistant commandant in BSF. Commending the Nabel Ahmad Wani from Udhampur for this success, he said the story will inspire many in the state and wished him success and a bright future.

Nabel Wani was accompanied by director-general of BSF K.K. Sharma during the meeting. The young officer said he felt unemployment was the biggest problem being faced by the youth which can only be solved by education.

Nabel, who is currently serving as a junior engineer in Udhampur, said it was his dream to join the defence forces and serve the country which has now been fulfilled.