Al-Qaeda threat to figure in Modi’s first J&K security review

The Prime Minsiter would hold a three-hour extensive security review with senior officials at the headquarters of the Army’s 15 Corps in Srinagar on July 4.

“Free flow” of foreign funds through NGOs and hawala channels to sustain insurgency and the separatist movement in Kashmir, a purported al-Qaeda threat to extend its base to the valley around the withdrawal of the American troops from Afghanistan, fresh spurt of the jihadist attacks in Pakistan, ceasefire violations and infiltration of militants through LoC and International Border besides the proposed upgradation of the border fencing would be key issues at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first security review in Jammu and Kashmir on July 4.

According to the official sources, Mr. Modi would hold a three-hour extensive security review — his first after taking over as Prime Minister in May — with senior government functionaries at headquarters of the Army’s 15 Corps in Srinagar on July 4. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Udhampur-based Northern Command Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, along with the GOCs of the Army’s 14th, 15th, 16th and 9th Corps besides senior officials of Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police and bureaucracy would brief Mr. Modi about the latest situation on the internal security front and at the LoC.

Sources said that senior officials of the Union Defence and Home Ministries, different Central intelligence agencies and the Indian Air Force were also expected to participate in the meeting. Chief Secretary Iqbal Khanday and Director-General of Police K. Rajindra Kumar, who held a threadbare discussion with senior officials in a video conference on Friday, would be representing the State government along with other senior officials of Police and civil administration. Sources said that the return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri migrants would also figure in the discussion.

Governor Narendra Nath Vohra and Chief Minister Omar would separately brief the Prime Minister about the State’s security scenario. Sources revealed to

The Hindu a video, threatening fresh spell of the jihadist terror in Kashmir and purportedly released by al-Qaeda’s Afghanistan unit, would be particularly discussed in the meetings.

Mr. Modi is scheduled to attend a luncheon meeting with Governor before inaugurating a power plant constructed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation of India on river Jhelum in Uri, close to the LoC.

Mr. Modi is also scheduled to flag off the inaugural train at the newly constructed Katra Railway Station — the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Reasi district. The 25-km Udhampur-Katra rail track has been cleared for passenger operations after a series of the trial runs.