Jammu: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Wednesday chaired a high-level security review meeting in Jammu as part of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, taking stock of the ongoing anti-terror operations, security preparedness for the upcoming Republic Day celebrations and the evolving situation along the International Border and Line of Control amid continued drone intrusions.
The Home Secretary arrived in Jammu in the afternoon and directly proceeded to the Convention Centre, where he led an extensive review with top civil, police, military and intelligence officials.
The meeting assumed significance as it came days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a security review in New Delhi and directed all agencies to sustain anti-terror operations in a mission mode across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, Govind Mohan reviewed the prevailing security situation across the Union Territory, with special focus on the intensified counter-terror operations in the mountainous and forested areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua and Udhampur districts.
Security forces have been conducting sustained search and cordon operations in these areas over the past several weeks to track and neutralise terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forest belts and high-altitude terrain.
The Home Secretary also assessed the security arrangements being put in place for Republic Day celebrations, stressing the need for heightened vigilance and seamless coordination among agencies in view of the threat perception.
Particular attention was given to the recent spurt in drone activity along the International Border and the Line of Control, which has raised concerns over attempts to push infiltrators, arms and narcotics into the region.
Officials briefed him about intelligence inputs suggesting that terrorists are waiting across the border to infiltrate under the cover of dense fog, especially in the winter months.
The strengthening of the anti-infiltration grid and improved coordination among the Army, BSF, police and intelligence agencies also came up for detailed discussion.
The meeting was attended by Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, CRPF Director General G P Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with senior officers from the Army, police, civil administration and intelligence agencies.
Govind Mohan also reviewed the overall security scenario along the borders, where Pakistan-backed elements have reportedly been attempting to facilitate infiltration through drones over the past few weeks.
He emphasised the need for robust counter-drone measures and real-time intelligence sharing to thwart such attempts.
The Union Home Secretary is likely to visit forward and border areas on Thursday to take a first-hand assessment of the ground situation and the operational preparedness of forces deployed along the borders.
