Rajnath to assess J&K border situation

 On his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit forward areas on the border on Friday. The minister will assess the situation that has arisen due to continuous ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army

.

Sources told Deccan Herald that Singh, who will arrive in Jammu on Friday morning, is scheduled to visit some forward posts in Samba sector to take stock of the prevailing situation there. He is also scheduled to interact with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed in the area. The minister will be accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the directors general of police, BSF and border management officials of the home ministry.

Omar, in his meeting with the home minister, is likely to press for resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, said a senior bureaucrat wishing anonymity. “The chief minister will apprise Rajnath Singh that the State Legislative Council has already passed a resolution in this regard,” the official added.

Singh’s visit assumes significance in the backdrop of the Centre’s recent decision to call off talks with Pakistan and a spurt in ceasefire violations since then.

Singh is also scheduled to co-chair the Unified Command Headquarters (UHQ) meeting here on Friday evening. “Singh will co-chair the UHQ meeting at the SKICC here where the prevailing scenario at the International Border in Jammu region would be discussed threadbare as also the overall security scenario in Kashmir,” sources said, adding the officials of different security agencies will put forth their assessment about the situation.

On Saturday, the home minister is scheduled to visit some forward posts manned by the BSF in Gurez sector of north Kashmir before concluding his visit. State Home Secretary Suresh Kumar said the arrangements related to Singh’s visit are being finalised.