New Delhi, March 31
The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Government today decided to set up a special group to review the existing macro-strategies in tackling militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, take special measures for protecting Kashmiri Pandits and deploy multi-tiered forces along the border and Line of Control to check infiltration.
The Special Group, to be headed by Special Secretary (J and K) in Union Home Minister A.K. Bhandari, will review the strategies of the security forces and intelligence agencies in the terrorism-hit state, Union Home Secretary N Gopalaswami told newspersons after a three-hour long meeting here.
A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and attended among others by State Governor G.C. Saxena, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Defence Minister George Fernandes and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.
The Army chief, Gen N.C. Vij, Jammu and Kashmir DGP A.K. Suri and top Army and intelligence officials also attended the meeting.
The Group, which will have members from the Army, the CRPF, the Intelligence agencies as well as state government and the police, will also suggest appropriate strategies to be followed to counter terrorism in the state, he said.
Besides, it will hold detailed discussions with the agencies concerned in the state and the Centre and also visit the state before finalising its report, Mr Gopalaswami said adding the Special Group would submit its report within three months.
"In face, the meeting has stressed on the co-ordinated approach to meeting the challenges posed by terrorism," the Home Secretary said.
Among other decisions taken during the meeting include multi-tiered, multi-modal deployment of security forces at and near the border and Line of Control to check infiltration from across the border.
