First time after the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu & Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived here on a 2-day visit to review the security situation amid continuation of annual Amarnath pilgrimage. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and home secretary Rajiv Gauba are accompanying the Minister along-with a battery of top security officials.
The Home Minister held a detailed meeting with Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan followed by top-level security meeting to assess the ground situation after the fall of Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition on June 19. The Home Minister is expected to pay obeisance at the holy Amarnath Cave on Thursday.
Singh had visited Kashmir on June 7 during the holy month of Ramzan when the central government had announced unilateral cessation of anti-militant operations. The ‘ceasefire’ was not extended beyond Ramzan.
Sources said that Governor Vohra, his team of advisors and top security and intelligence officers briefed Singh and Doval on the emerging situation along the line of Control (loC) and Valley’s hinterland.
An official spokesman said that Vohra and Singh held discussions on various important issues relating to security management, implementation of development programmes and positive engagement of the youth in the State. Governor briefed Home Minister about the on-going Amarnath pilgrimage.
Rajnath’s visit has assumed significance in the wake of reports that the Central Government was keen to launch a major offensive against militancy in Kashmir valley especially in the southern region. The ruling BJP cited the growing incidents of militancy as one of the major reasons to pull out from the coalition led by PDP.
Even as the visit is far from being laced with any political agenda, the arrival has coincided with speculations of new political combinations and permutations in Kashmir. Two days back, three legislators of the PDP voiced dissent against Mehbooba Mufti and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta hinted at formation of a third front in the state.