Jammu, Jan 14: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, joined by Director Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Deka, on Wednesday reviewed the prevailing security scenario across the Union Territory, with major emphasis on Counter Terror (CT) Operations targetting terrorists, terror infrastructure, and the developments along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).

Union Home Secretary and Director IB, along with other senior central officials, had reached Jammu late afternoon on January 14 for a two-day security assessment visit.

Sources pointed out that the visiting central team of top officials, immediately after its arrival, held a high-level review at the Convention Centre Jammu, which continued till late evening.

Evaluating security arrangements in place, especially for Republic Day celebrations and challenging weather conditions, the emphasis of top central officials during the meeting, in line with the directions of the Union Home Minister, was on “bolstering the anti-infiltration grid with a perfect synergised approach among all security agencies.”

At the outset, the visiting team was apprised of the prevailing security scenario and operations being conducted in different parts of the UT, mainly the Jammu region, which is witnessing heightened activities from across the border.

In the backdrop of increased attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push terrorists and arms through drone activity and infiltration routes, taking advantage of inclement weather conditions, particularly dense fog, all the security agencies were asked to remain alert and continue to work in synergy to eliminate terrorists hiding in the mountainous areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Kathua, and Reasi.

“Unrelenting synergised operations by security forces, not letting their guard down at any point in time, should be the key approach during intensified anti-terror operations, leaving no scope for regrouping of terrorists or any terror act, was the bottom line. The alacrity of the civil administration, in tandem with the security agencies, was also emphasised. Another important aspect related to the fortification of the anti-infiltration grid with heightened surveillance using advanced technology, besides vigilance by the foot soldiers and strengthening of human intel and the Village Defence Guards (VDGs),” sources added.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary Home, J&K Chandraker Bharti, BSF Director General Praveen Kumar, CRPF chief G P Singh and Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat, J&K Intelligence chief Nitish Kumar besides other senior Army, Police, civil, and intelligence officers.

The visit, amid heightened security alert ahead of Republic Day celebrations, assumes significance as the border districts of Jammu region in the recent past have witnessed a spurt in drone-incursion incidents from across the border, besides frequent sightings of terrorists or armed suspects, amid dense fog.

Security forces even established multiple contacts with the terrorists in dense forests and treacherous heights of Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, and Udhampur in the past month or so.

Even on Wednesday, January 14, Cordon and Search Operations were underway in Najote and adjoining villages in Billawar and Jakhole Baira and adjacent areas in Raj Bagh of Kathua district. In Jakhole, CASO was launched after the local inputs about the suspicious movement of two suspects.

The central team, besides holding further discussions aiming at bolstering synergy among different security agencies working on the ground, is likely to visit the International Border before leaving for the union capital on June 15 afternoon.

Earlier on January 8, the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, had chaired a security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi.

Reiterating the zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, Shah stated that Counter Terror (CT) Operations targeting terrorist infrastructure and terror financing in a mission mode should be continued.

He had directed all security agencies to remain alert and continue to work in synergy to ensure that the gains achieved after the abrogation of Article 370 were sustained to achieve the goal of ‘terror-free J&K’ at the earliest. He assured that all the resources would be made available in this endeavour.

Ramban, Jan 14: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way movement of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Wednesday, officials said, even as traffic moved slowly at several vulnerable stretches due to road conditions.

Traffic authorities said that, subject to fair weather and favourable road conditions, NH-44 is expected to remain open for two-way traffic on Thursday as well. However, commuters were advised to remain cautious while travelling through the highway.

Officials said that although vehicular movement continued in both directions throughout the day, traffic congestion was reported at multiple locations, including Balli Nullah, Dewal, Nashri–Dalwas, Maroog and Kishtwari Pather between Udhampur and Banihal. Single-lane road conditions at these stretches were cited as the primary reason for the slow movement.

The situation was further aggravated by the breakdown of two heavy vehicles at different points along the highway, which disrupted the smooth flow of traffic for extended periods.

Despite these challenges, traffic authorities in Ramban district said that hundreds of light, medium and heavy vehicles successfully crossed the Chenani–Nashri and Banihal–Qazigund tunnels till late Wednesday evening.

In a fresh advisory, the Traffic Department reiterated that NH-44 would remain open for light, medium and heavy motor vehicles, subject to fair weather and good road conditions. Authorities urged operators of light motor vehicles and private cars to plan their travel during daylight hours and avoid night journeys due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work between the Ramban and Banihal sectors.

Drivers were also advised to strictly follow traffic regulations, maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking or wrong-side driving, which often leads to congestion and delays on the highway.

Traffic Police, assisted by district police and highway patrol units, remained deployed at major choke points to regulate traffic and ensure safe passage. Commuters were advised to check the latest traffic updates before commencing their journeys.

Rajouri, Jan 14: Focusing on improvement in civil-military coordination and establishing effective strategies for responding to natural disasters, the Indian Army and the Tejus Disaster Management and Mitigation Center conducted a comprehensive lecture on disaster management for people living in Line of Control (LoC) areas.

The event, as per the army, has been conducted under its commitment to enhance disaster preparedness in remote regions near the Line of Control (LoC) and has been conducted at Saryah Ground, near the Usman War Memorial in LoC Nowshera.

“The session focused on improving civil-military coordination and establishing effective strategies for responding to natural disasters, including landslides, earthquakes, and floods, which are frequent in semi-mountainous regions like Nowshera,”the Indian Army said.

Participants, including local residents and civil officials, gained valuable insights into disaster response techniques, early warning systems and the importance of community involvement in crisis situations.