JOIN USUnion Home Minister Rajnath Singh will conduct a review of the suspension of operations against militants during Ramzan when he visits Jammu and Kashmir for two days starting this Thursday.
Singh's visit comes three weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Kashmir, Jammu and Ladhak, soon after the Centre announced a unilateral suspension of operations during the holy month of Ramzan.
During his visit, the home minister will review the suspension of the operations with the top police, paramilitary and central security agency officials.
Singh will seek feedback from these officials to ascertain whether the Centre could possibly extend the suspension of operations for some more time.
Singh is expected to discuss with the state government and security officials the possibility of extending the suspension of operations to cover the Amarnath Yatra period, which will begin on June 28.
There is a feeling among the top officials in the Narendra Modi administration that the move had evoked some positive response from Kashmiris.
The Centre wants to capitalise on that but would take a final call only after seeking a report from the ground.
He will also visit the frontier district of Kupwara, where he will review some projects being undertaken as part of the Border Area Development Programme.
During his visit to Jammu, Singh will also visit those affected by the cross-border shelling.
He will review the situation along the international border, where over a dozen security personnel have been killed in firing by Pakistani forces and several people had to be evacuated to safer locations due to the continuous firing from across the border.
Singh's visit comes at a time the separatist Hurriyat Conference has indicated its readiness for talks while making it clear that they needed clarity on the initiative.