On Friday, Shah held a security review with the ministry officials and Central Reserve Police Force. The meeting was held a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review and sought to deploy a full spectrum of Indian counter-terror capabilities. For the past four years, Jammu region has witnessed a surge in attacks on civilians and security forces. In the past five days, four incidents of violence were reported in the region in which civilians and security forces suffered casualties. “The home minister will hold an overall security review and Amarnath Yatra security review on Sunday,” said a senior government official.
The use of tracking chips in vehicles bound for the Amarnath Yatra and use of drones is likely to be suggested during the review.
On July 10, 2017, a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims from Gujarat came under terrorist attack in J&K. However, the driver of the bus, Sheikh Saleem Gafoor, saved the lives of 52 passengers despite terrorists raining bullets on the bus. Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 wounded in that attack. Recently, a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi came under attack in which nine people were killed and 33 others injured. Intelligence agencies have picked up chatter from social media regarding planning by militants to target security forces. Pakistan-based The Resistance Front and People’s Anti-Fascist Front are the ones carrying out the attacks.
