Amit Shah Demands Answers On Terror, Radicalisation At J&K Security Meet

Amit Shah landed in J&K's Srinagar airport this morning for a three-day visit - his first since he led the government's charge to scrap Article 370 two years ago

Prolonged encounters with terrorists, the growing threat of radicalisation, the killing of civilians, and an increase in cross-border infiltration - these were the key issues discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar today. #WATCH Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs security review meeting during his three-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir pic.twitter.com/qtohyuXs2P

A senior Home Ministry functionary told NDTV security agencies presented their side in an inquiry into why, despite a massive build-up of Indian forces in the area and extensive outreach efforts by the government, the twin threats of radicalisation and home-grown terrorism were on the rise.

Government data says 32 civilians have been killed so far this year; 41 were killed in the whole of last year. Further, in the first nine months of this year, there were 63 cases of terrorist-initiated encounters and 28 instances of atrocities committed by terrorists were registered.

A ministry official told NDTV: "The narrative of the centre is that J&K is safe for everyone… but these killings prove minorities and outsiders are not safe. This is a big concern for government… so a strategy to further reassure people was discussed".