In what can be seen as a clear sign for the Islamists to pack their bags and get ready for the repercussions of their actions, Union home minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Interestingly, it is the first visit of Amit Shah to the Kashmir valley ever since the abrogation of article 370 that led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
Shah visits Kashmir
Soon after the Home Minister reached Kashmir on Friday, he went straight to Nowgam from the airport to visit the family of Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Parvaiz Ahmad who was executed by terrorists earlier this year. Thereafter, he chaired a top level security review meeting in Srinagar at Raj Bhawan on the backdrop of targeted killings in the valley and the Taliban’s control over Kabul. It is pertinent to note that it is Narendra Modi government’s outreach programme under which Union ministers are travelling to the region and Amit Shah’s visit also comes under the same programme.
What Amit Shah’s Kashmir visit means
Amit Shah’s Kashmir visit is a crucial move as it comes amidst the resurgence in violence against Kashmiri Hindus, migrants, and administrative officials in the valley. Witnessing the resurgence, the Indian army, buoyed by the two-day visit of Chief of Army Staff General M Naravane to the valley, has already increased its intensity to go after terrorists.
Earlier as reported by TFI, the army is preparing for a final attack on the terrorists hiding in the nearby forests. The announcements were made from local mosques in the surrounding areas and people have been asked to stay put until the next announcement follows.
Read more: Indian forces prepare for the final fight in Kashmir
In addition to that, it is also being speculated that there is a link between resurgence of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the regime change in Afghanistan, where the Pakistan-backed Taliban captured power in mid-August. Ever since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they are leaving no stone unturned to create panic in the valley.
Ahead of Shah’s visit, massive security arrangements had been done by the government that included deploying extra security including BSF and the creation of new security bunkers in Srinagar. Moreover, police have seized thousands of two-wheelers across Srinagar and other districts.
Following the spate of killing of innocent non-Muslims, the government has already given the free rein to the security forces to conduct their business and to clean the mess. Now, with Amit Shah’s visit to the valley, a new peaceful Kashmir is in the making.
Many Indians especially Kashmir pundits feel that it’s too early and shouldn’t rush to conduct elections and statehood for J&K.