SOURCE : AFI
nion Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting at North Block to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and to assess the preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which is set to begin on June 29. The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, among others.
During the meeting, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) highlighted its proposal to create 659 posts for their Mountain Battalions. The CRPF emphasized the necessity of this initiative, stating that over time, terrorist activities have shifted from urban areas to the forests at higher altitudes. A senior official explained, “After monitoring their regular activities, it has been observed that over a period, they have moved from urban areas to the terrain of forests at higher reaches. Since they are changing their modus operandi, security establishments also have to reinvigorate their plans as per the current scenario.”
In line with this strategic shift, on June 24, the CRPF Director General (DG) communicated to the J&K range the directive to initiate the formation of Mountain Battalions to conduct operations in these higher reaches. “For a start, an existing battalion may be trained in mountain warfare. For strengthening the intelligence setup, the proposal of creating 659 posts is under active consideration in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and once approved, will address the concerns,” an official stated.
Additionally, there is a focus on long-term community engagement programs. The official mentioned that zones should prepare proposals for four to five-year community engagement initiatives, which would be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for approval.
The meeting underscored the necessity of adapting security measures to the evolving tactics of terrorist groups and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. The proposed Mountain Battalions and enhanced intelligence framework are expected to bolster the region’s security infrastructure and address the dynamic challenges posed by terrorist activities.