Drones deployed, security tightened as Amit Shah begins 3-day visit to J&K

Union home minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Monday evening on a three-day visit to the Union Territory (UT), even as the authorities beefed up security across the region to scuttle any attacks or protests during his stay.

Shah is scheduled to pay obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra area of Reasi district before addressing two rallies in Rajouri district of Jammu on Tuesday and Baramulla district of Kashmir on Wednesday.

The administration has made elaborate arrangements for Shah’s rallies and security checkpoints have been erected on Jammu-Poonch and Srinagar-Baramulla highways. Director general of J&K Police Dilbag Singh visited both the spots last week to review the security preparedness. Drones have been deployed around the venues as well. “People across the border want to sabotage VIP visits to show that all is not well here… ,” Singh said.


The BJP’s J&K chief, Ravinder Raina, said Shah’s rallies in J&K will be “historic” and will attract thousands of people to the two venues. Ahead of Shah’s visit, a few militant incidents were reported in the region, including a suspected attack on a non-local bank manager, in Pattan area in Baramulla district on Monday, in which he managed to escape unhurt.