360-degree security ring in Jammu, won’t spare terrorists: Amit Shah

“Even as far as minority killings are concerned, these three years have witnessed the lowest figures,” Shah told a press conference in Jammu.

He could not visit Rajouri to meet families of the terror attack victims owing to bad weather.

“Do not judge the security situation in J&K on the basis of one incident. If you want to judge it, judge it since the beginning of militancy and you will find that after the abrogation of Article 370, J&K has witnessed the least incidents of violence and resultant deaths,” Shah said, responding to a question on the security situation in the UT.

The aim and resolve of security agencies, he said, is to end militancy in J&K in the next few years.

“Our security forces are working in this direction and have given befitting replies to terrorists. More terrorists are dying now and fewer civilians are being killed. Even as far as minority killings are concerned, these three years have witnessed the lowest figures,” he said.

In the wake of the Rajouri incidents, he said he had held a security review meeting with representatives of security agencies and armed forces in Jammu.

“We have discussed the creation of a security grid in the region in the coming days. I can say that all the agencies are 100% alert and are prepared to meet the challenges ahead…. All agencies have assured to create a 360-degree security ring and discussed it. Intelligence agencies too have taken a decision and charted a course… I am sure that very soon the J&K Police will catch the culprits behind the incident and bring them before the law,” he said.

The probe into the two incidents in Rajouri, he said, had been handed over to the NIA.

“NIA and Jammu police will together probe the case. This team will look at the case in the light of all the incidents that have taken place in the past one-and-a-half years. Along with this, the action plan for tightening the security of Jammu and Kashmir has been made time-bound, and it has been decided that the security grid will be strengthened in every region within three months. I want to assure the people of Jammu that whatever be the intention of terrorists, our agencies will protect Jammu with complete alertness,” he said.

Shah clarified that the decision to revive Village Defence Committees was not a reaction to the Rajouri incidents. “This decision was taken in August (2022),” he said.

He praised the resilience of the people of Jammu and said the government was standing by them.

“Because of bad weather I could not go to Rajouri today. But I have spoken to the family members (of the victims) over the phone. I, along with J&K LG Manoj Sinha, heard them patiently. Their resilience is an inspiration to the whole country. All the people were saying that this is our area and we will not leave. Some families from Pak-Occupied Kashmir had also come. Still doggedly fighting despite such an incident is a big thing,” he said.

“Be it the Valley or Jammu, the government is standing by victim families. There are programmes prepared for them. LG has been given powers to customise government schemes according to the needs of the victims,” he said.