JNM Journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, visited the international border in Kathua district on Friday to review the security situation. During the visit, he laid the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth ₹242 crore for the Border Security Force (BSF). These projects are considered important steps towards further strengthening border security.
Home Minister Shah visited the Gurnam and Bobiya forward posts in the Hiranagar sector, where he spent nearly two hours interacting with soldiers and officers. The officers briefed him on border deployments, anti-infiltration measures, and security challenges. Shah gave clear instructions to ensure no laxity in security arrangements.
During the visit, the Home Minister also inaugurated projects worth approximately ₹7 crore related to the welfare of border guards. These include solar water heaters, a solar power plant, and a newly constructed mess for officers.
He also inspected modern equipment and surveillance devices deployed to prevent cross-border infiltration and visited Pakistani checkpoints across the border.
Shah had lunch with BSF soldiers and officers at the Bobiya forward post. Prior to this, he visited the Gurnam forward post, where he interacted with the soldiers and listened to their problems and suggestions. Praising the soldiers’ morale, he stated that supporting and empowering the forces deployed to protect the country is the government’s top priority.
The Home Minister’s visit is considered significant from a security perspective following recent terrorist encounters in Kathua, Udhampur, and Kishtwar districts. During the visit, a high-level security review meeting was held at Lok Bhavan, where efforts were made to intensify operations against terrorists operating in the mountainous and inaccessible areas of the Jammu division.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi, DGP Jammu and Kashmir Police Nilan Prabhat, and senior officers from the BSF, CRPF, and other security agencies were present at the meeting.
Officials briefed the Home Minister on coordination between various agencies, intelligence inputs, and the progress of counter-terrorism operations.
Home Minister Amit Shah issued clear instructions to take strict action against elements that disrupt peace and stability. He urged the Army, Police, BSF, CRPF, and intelligence agencies to further strengthen coordination, and urged that any negligence will not be tolerated.
