Rajnath reviews security in J&K, Assam

Five killed in fresh clashes in Valley

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir amid escalating tension in the Valley, which has witnessed protests for over a month.

At a high-level meeting, he also examined the situation in Assam where militants have struck for the past one week.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and chiefs of intelligence agencies attended the meeting. They briefed Singh on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir where protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani is continuing.

Protests continue

Five people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in action against stone-pelting protesters in Budgam and Anantnag districts, while a CRPF commanding officer, Pramod Kumar, was killed and nine other paramilitary personnel injured in a militant attack in Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar.

Official sources said Singh, who was given a detailed briefing on the infiltration bid in Uri sector in Kashmir, has asked security forces to take all steps to restore peace as early as possible and avoid casualties of both civilians and security personnel.

So far, 63 people have been killed in protests that began on July 9 following the death of Wani. The issue has repeatedly been referred to in both Houses of Parliament where MPs demanded that pellet guns should be not used against protesters, while Home Minister Rajnath Singh said there will be strong action against terrorists, but compassion towards people of the state.

Of the five killed on Tuesday, four died in Budgam district where CPRF opened fire at the protesters who pelted a passing CRPF vehicle with stones. Another person was killed in Anantnag district when security forces opened fire to disperse a stone-pelting group of youths.

In the meeting, Singh was also given a briefing on the situation in Assam where suspected ULFA militants exploded five bombs in Charaido and Tinsukia districts on Independence Day on Monday.