Two junior Central Ministers on Wednesday expressed satisfaction on the security situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of a terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims on July 10 that killed seven and injured 20 others. Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitender Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir lauded the public response against the terror attack especially in Kashmir Valley. They said the security arrangements would be further improved to ensure hassle free pilgrimage.
Addressing mediapersons, Dr Singh and Ahir said that they arrived in Srinagar on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take stock of the situation. Ahir said the State administration especially Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti handled the yatri crisis in most humane way, which was appreciated throughout the country. He said instructions have been issued to strengthen Road Opening Party (ROP) network till late hours on yatra route.
Dr Singh said the condemnation of the terror act in Kashmir, especially by the civil society restored the faith in the composite culture of Kashmir and vindicated everything the country and the State stand for.
Obliquely referring to separatists he said certain elements look forward to fish in the troubled waters of Jhelum with the hope that something would go wrong.
“The People have come forward not only to denounce the attack but also with a very aggressive plea that such incidents should not be allowed to take place in the future and the guilty should be brought to book. This is something which was perhaps not very visible for quite some time,” he said.
Asked whether the attack on pilgrims was a matter of security lapse and pilgrims’ tendency to violate the procedures, he said the security agencies would probe the incident and look into every aspect of it. He said the last word must come from the security experts on the attack.
“let us wait for the inferences to come from the security agencies and it is our responsibility to carry that forward. We will find answers and learn from this incident,” he added.
During their stay in Kashmir, the Ministers had discussions and meetings with Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and top officials from civil, Army, police and other security and Intelligence agencies.
The entire security apparatus has been put on highest alert after the loss of life and injuries in the said attack.
The two Ministers met the injured yatris in the SKIMS hospital and also interacted with a team of paramilitary forces involved in killing of three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists on Wednesday morning.