Union Home Minister Amit Shah (file photo)
| Photo Credit:
PTI
With Pakistan pushing terrorists across the border under the cover of heavy shelling in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday convened a high-level meeting to review the prevailing situation in the country, including at airports, arising out of increased hostilities from across the border.
Sources said Shah insisted on strengthening inter-agency coordination, enhancing surveillance capabilities, and expediting rapid response strategies to prevent any potential security breaches, particularly in sensitive installations and high-traffic public areas like airports.
The meeting took place hours after the Border Security Force (BSF) killed at least seven terrorists trying to infiltrate last night from the Samba Sector of Jammu.
Infiltration bid neutralised
The infiltration bid by a big group of Pakistan-based terrorists was supported by fire from the Pak Rangers from their post Dhandhar, said BSF officials.
Alert troops of BSF neutralised the infiltration bid detected by its surveillance grid and killed at least 7 terrorists and caused extensive damage to the Pak Post Dhandhar, they added.
As proof to nail Pakistan’s continued support to terrorists, the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) shared a clip of infiltration and accompanied destruction of post bunker Dhandhar.
Cross-border shelling
Meanwhile, the Home Minister reviewed the current border situation, given that Pakistan continued with heavy artillery shelling even in the previous night across the Line of Control, targeting places Uri, Poonch, Mender, Rajouri, and Akhnoor.
The affected families have been fleeing from their homes to bunkers, and authorities are also trying to shift them to safer places.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Director General of BSF Daljit Chawdhary, Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) RS Bhatti, and Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS) Rajesh Nirwan were present at the meeting.
Separately, the MHA reiterated its directive, issued for the first time on May 2, to all Sstates and Union Territories (UTs) to augment civil defence measures for preparing the country to withstand anticipated onslaught from Pakistan’s growing hostilities.
The shelling of civilians and their infrastructure in the bordering areas of J&K, Punjab and Rajasthan continued even on Friday.
The Ministry, in a letter titled “augmentation of civil defence measures in the States/UTs”, reminded that state governments and UT administrations are empowered to undertake all necessary actions for the protection of people and property under Section 11 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968. They were also instructed to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of vital services during a hostile attack.
Through the letter, the MHA stressed that the provision also authorises the use of local authority funds for such emergency measures, giving them precedence over other financial obligations.
Jammu LG’s review
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday visited villages impacted by Pakistani shelling in the Uri sector close to the border and realised the need to build additional bunkers for the safety of locals, which he assured would be built in the coming days.
“Attempts were made (to attack) but the morale of the forces is very high and they are ready to deal with any situation,” Sinha told reporters in Baramulla.
The LG interacted with soldiers in Uri and asked, “how is the josh”. He commended their services to the nation.
Sinha also stated that the injured and the families of those who died have been granted ex gratia, and the losses are being ascertained.
“The injured are being treated. I went to see them and all are stable and will be discharged soon,” he said.
Published on May 9, 2025