Towards a Terror-Free Kashmir: Amit Shah unveils Mission-Mode Security Push

Home Minister Amit Shah urged mission-mode counter-terror operations, emphasizing coordinated security efforts to eliminate terrorism and ensure lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thurshday underscored the Indian government’s commitment to eradicate terrorism from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), urging security forces to step up mission-mode counter-terror operations aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure and cutting off terror financing. The call came during a high-level security review meeting on the Union Territory held in the national capital.

Chairing the meeting, Shah directed all security agencies to remain vigilant and work in seamless coordination to preserve the hard-won gains in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 and accelerate progress toward a “terror-free J&K.” He emphasized that the Centre will ensure all necessary resources are provided to achieve this objective at the earliest.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Lieutanant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Union Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police (DGP) of J&K and the heads of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Shah praised the efforts of security forces for strengthening the overall security situation. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and underlined the importance of intelligence-driven, targeted action. “SOG Kathua has engaged terrorists in the forest of Kamadh Nullah, Kathua,” Inspector General of Police, Jammu said in a post on X.

Officials told reporters that the home minister’s directive comes amid ongoing counter-terror campaigns across difficult terrain, including efforts to neutralize militants hiding in remote and inaccessible areas, as well as to prevent cross-border infiltration along both the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).

Security analyst note that the renewed push for mission-mode operations reflects New Delhi’s intent to sustain pressure on residual terrorist networks even as the region prepares for major national events such as upcoming 76th Republic Day celebrations. Shah’s comments reaffirm the government’s stance that lasting peace and stability in Jammu & Kashmir are tied to successfully dismantling the entire terror infrastructure and ensuring that extremist elements are unable to regroup or regenerate their operational bases.

As part of this approach, security forces are expected to intensify intelligence sharing, enhance coordinaton between central and local agencies and leverage both technology and manpower to sustain the gains achieved over recent years. With counter-terror operations now explicitly labeled “mission-mode,” the government’s focus remains on eliminating the threat of terrorism comprhensively- a strategy officials say is critical not only for public safety but also for faciliting long-term socio-economic development in Jammu & Kashmir.