High-Level Meeting on Rising Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a crucial meeting on Wednesday to address the escalating terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, held at South Block, included key officials such as Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and heads of various security agencies. This gathering comes just a day before India’s Independence Day, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the region. In a recent encounter on August 10 in Anantnag, two soldiers and a civilian lost their lives during a gunfight between security forces and terrorists. The operation involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Kokernag area. The fallen soldiers, Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, were honored by the Army Chief and fellow soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice. The Union Territory has witnessed a surge in terror activities, with notable incidents including an attack on an army convoy in Kathua and confrontations in Doda and Udhampur. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 28 individuals, comprising both civilians and security personnel, were killed in 11 terror-related incidents and 24 counter-terror operations up to July 21 this year. Additionally, Indian Army troops recently thwarted an incursion attempt by the Pakistan Border Action Team along the Line of Control, resulting in casualties on both sides.