New Delhi: After assuming charge as Home Minister, Amit Shah's primary focus remained the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
While he was briefed on the situation in the Kashmir Valley by Director, Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Jain and Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Shah also had a 15-minute-long, closed-door meeting with Governor Satya Pal Malik.
The situation in the state, which is presently under President's rule, continues to be tense but under control.
Sources said that Home Ministry's Internal Security Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Affairs division had earlier prepared special notes to be placed before the new Home Minister. The Jammu and Kashmir division deals with counter-terrorism, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and coordination between various ministries including Defence and External Affairs.
In the evening, Malik discussed security matters with Shah. "I had a brief discussion with the Home Minister on the law and order situation in the valley as well as on the border areas," Malik told reporters after the meeting.
Sources said that Amit Shah had a joint meeting with Secretaries and heads of various divisions ranging from Border Management to Internal Security. From Monday onward, he HM would be meeting the chiefs of para-military forces including the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Sashastra Seema Bal, the Central Industrial Security Force and other police organisations.
Shah will also take stock of the Delhi Police which come directly under control of the Ministry. A reshuffle at the top being expected in the Delhi Police.
Sources said that Shah also expressed concern over Maoist violence and also discussed activities of Jihadi groups, particularly about those active in Kerala and adjoining states in south India.
"He (HM) would also review central security cover provided by the MHA to VIPs and private persons. A lot of budget is being spent on providing central para-military cover to individuals," said a source.
After a long time, since L K Advani, the former Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister (1998-2004), the Ministry seems to be abuzz with a lot of activity and media attention.
On the very first day, several Governors of state and the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand met Shah in his North Block office.
"Certainly Shah is a decisive man. He will take decisions on many fronts and would certainly try to improve situation in the Kashmir valley, and also in the areas affected by left wing extremist violence," said a former BSF chief.
Over 100 militants killed in Kashmir till May 31
Over 100 militants were killed in "unrelenting operations" by security forces against various militant outfits in the Kashmir Valley till May 31, police said on Saturday.
The killed militants included 25 foreign militants from various outfits. On an average, 20 militants were killed each month till May 31.
"This includes some top militant commanders and their cadre involved in the Pulwama terror attack of February 14, the attack on the Lethpora CRPF camp and other terrorist acts.
"Some of the militant organisations like the Jaish-e-Muhammad have lost all its leadership and none of their ranks across the border are prepared to come and lead the outfit," the police spokesman told IANS.
He said 52 security forces personnel also lost their lives this year till May 31, including the 40 CRPF jawans killed in Pulwama terror attack on February 14.
"Security forces including the army, the CRPF and state police, have been relentlessly carrying on anti-militancy operations with total synergy," he said, adding that this "hot pursuit has pushed the militants to remain constantly on the run".
"They don't have the footholds like they had during the last four years, especially in south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam. They are on the run," he said.
Security forces have decided to continue pro-active operations across the Valley as their intelligence grid has remarkably improved.
"After the imposition of the Governor's rule followed by President's rule in the state, reactive operations are few and far between.
"Non-interference in sensitive security issues by politicians has allowed the security forces to remain on the front foot," said a top intelligence officer, speaking on condition of anonymity.
