Amit Shah embarks on two-day J&K visit

The security apparatus has been placed on alert in Jammu and Kashmir as Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to begin his two-day tour of the Union Territory (UT), which starts on Friday (February 6, 2025). The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has highlighted the need to “heal the wounds of J&K’s youth”.

Mr. Shah arrived in Jammu on Thursday (February 5, 2026), where he was received by LG Manoj Sinha and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Officials said Mr. Shah will chair a security review meeting in Jammu on Friday (February 6, 2026). There has been an uptick in terrorist related incidents in parts of the Jammu region. Security forces have conducted two successful anti-terror operations in Kishtwar and Udhampur; increased aerial activity has also been observed along the Line of Control (LoC).

Mr. Shah is scheduled to tour the International Border (IB) and outposts of the Border Security Force in Bobia and Gurnam in Jammu. He will also meet family members of deceased security personnel. Kin of such personnel will receive formal intimation of government jobs under the administration’s compassionate employment policy, officials said.

‘Things not normal in J&K’

Senior Congress leader and legislator Tariq Hameed Karra said frequent visits by Mr. Shah to J&K were “an indication of the fact that things were not normal in J&K”. 

“Mr. Shah comes and assesses the situation. He later states everything is normal and under control. The fact is that eight districts have been affected by militancy in three months. Militants were striking at will and encounters continued for 10 to 12 days. But the Centre claims the situation is normal,” Mr. Karra said.

Meanwhile, security across the Union Territory has been heightened. Official sources stated that frisking and searches at critical locations had been intensified over the past 24 hours.

Heal wounds

Opposition PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said Mr. Shah’s visit was “A good opportunity to push both development and heal the wounds of the youth in J&K”.

“J&K needs a sustained engagement with youth. They need healing of their wounds inflicted by years of conflict and uncertainty,” Mr. Parra said.

The PDP legislator said Mr. Shah’s political outreach was “essential to restore confidence among young people in the region”. “I expect Mr. Shah’s visit will go beyond official reviews and translate into concrete steps that address the aspirations of the youth and ensure inclusive development,” he added.