Amit Shah arrives in J&K to review security situation, Amarnath Yatra arrangements

Jammu and Kashmir L-G Manoj Sinha welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and conducted a high-level meeting to review preparations for Amarnath Yatra in Jammu. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday (May 29, 2025) on a two-day visit. He will review the security situation arising out of the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan and the measures to be put in place for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

Mr. Shah arrived in Jammu in the evening and was joined by Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan for a joint security review with the top officials of various security agencies operating in the Union Territory, including the J&K Police, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Officials said top security officials will apprise the Union Home Minister about the current situation and the additional measures required for a safe and secure yatra, besides steps to encourage the return of tourists to Kashmir, hit hard by the terror attack in Pahalgam in April.

Mr. Shah will be briefed about the multi-tier security arrangements being put in place for the Amarnath Yatra that starts on July 3 this year. One of the twin yatra routes in Kashmir passes through south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, almost the same ridge where terrorists killed 26 civilians on April 22. The yatra security remains a challenge to the security agencies. This year additional troops will be deployed in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said.

Officials said there will be a discussion on the gradual reopening of around 48 destinations, which remained out of bounds since the terror attack on April 22. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has advocated gradual opening of destinations in Kashmir to encourage tourists to visit the Valley. It’s the second visit of Mr. Shah since April 8, where he pledged to crush terrorism and the terror ecosystem in J&K.

Poonch visit today

Mr. Shah will visit Poonch on Friday (May 30, 2025), where he will assess the damage inflicted by recent shelling of the Pakistani Army. Officials said the Home Minister will meet civilians whose houses were damaged and visit religious sites that became the target of mortar shells from across the Line of Control (LoC). Civilians whose houses were damaged will apprise Mr. Shah about their demands at the Dak Bungalow in Poonch.

Poonch bore the brunt of the heavy shelling from Pakistan.  At least 16 civilians were killed in the Pir Panjal Valley, comprising Poonch and Rajouri districts.

On Thursday (May 29, 2025), security was heightened ahead of Mr. Shah’s visit. Border Security Force (BSF) Director-General Daljit Singh Chawdhary took stock of the security situation ahead of the visit. Mr. Shah will visit the BSF camp in Poonch and interact with jawans. He will also address BSF soldiers at their Unit Headquarters in Khanetar.

Financial package sought

Senior National Conference (NC) leader Rattan Lal Gupta said he was hopeful of a comprehensive financial package for the people of the region who have suffered immensely amid the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

“People of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those living in Poonch-Rajouri districts and border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, have borne the brunt of the recent escalation in cross-border firing. A well-structured comprehensive financial package from the Centre should provide the much-needed support to the affected families. I hope that the Home Minister will recognise the gravity of the situation and announce a substantial financial package,” Mr. Gupta said.

J&K People’s Democratic Front (PDF) president Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen urged Mr. Shah “to announce a comprehensive and time-bound special package for the residents of border areas recently affected by intense cross-border shelling from Pakistan”.

He also urged the Union Home Minister to consider waiving EMIs (equated monthly instalments) and outstanding bank loans of those working in the tourism and hospitality sector. “Without such relief, hundreds of businesses may collapse, pushing families into economic distress,” he said.

Published - May 29, 2025 11:01 pm IST