Srinagar, May 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Thursday evening to begin a crucial two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir aimed at reviewing the security situation and meeting families affected by recent cross-border shelling in Poonch. This is Shah’s first visit to the Union Territory following Operation Sindoor, officials said.
Soon after his arrival, Shah was received at the airport by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and proceeded directly to Raj Bhawan, where he chaired a high-level security review meeting late into the night. The meeting, lasting about one and a half hours, was attended by the Lieutenant Governor, senior officials from the army, paramilitary forces, police, intelligence agencies, and the civil administration.
Besides discussing the overall security situation and ongoing anti-terror operations, Shah reviewed administrative and security preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on July 3.
After an overnight stay in Jammu, Shah will fly to Poonch on Friday to interact with families affected by the shelling. He will visit damaged religious sites, including the Singh Sabha Gurdwara, and meet officials to assess the extent of destruction in the worst-hit district.
Shah will also visit the Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Poonch to engage with the jawans. He is scheduled to address civilians impacted by Pakistani shelling at Dak Bungalow and BSF personnel at their Unit Headquarters in Khanetar.
The Home Minister is expected to distribute appointment letters to the next of kin of civilians killed in the recent shelling.
This marks Shah’s third visit to Jammu and Kashmir since April 6 and his first following the Indian armed forces’ cross-border strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Shah’s previous visits included a three-day tour beginning April 6 and again on April 23, the day after the Pahalgam attack.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Poonch city with additional personnel deployed, intensified vehicle checks at key intersections, and nakas and checkpoints established at all entry and exit points to maintain strict surveillance.
