Amit Shah to arrive in Jammu today

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, a senior BJP leader said today.

BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur stated that Shah will reach Jammu on Sunday and is scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on Monday evening. Sources said the Home Minister will hold security review meetings during his visit. He is also expected to meet BJP legislators in Jammu.

A senior official said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to hold a meeting with Shah during the visit.

Shah’s visit comes at a time when the Jammu region has seen a rise in terrorist activity. However, earlier this week, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed any connection between the Home Minister’s visit and the recent anti-militancy operation in the Kathua district. He noted that visits by the Union Home Minister to J&K are not unusual, adding that Shah has visited before and will continue to do so in the future.

The visit also comes amid a major face-off between the state government and the Raj Bhavan over the transfer of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers. On Saturday, the ruling alliance warned the Centre “not to push them to the wall,” and urged Delhi to respect the people’s mandate.

J & K