NSA Ajit Doval In Kashmir Valley To Take Stock Of Situation

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Srinagar to take stock of security and development-related activities in the state even as mobile services remains suspended in Kashmir except in Handwara and Kupwara areas in the north, while Internet services -- across all platforms also continued to be snapped in the valley.

This is Doval’s second visit to Kashmir since abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution which gave special state to Jammu and Kashmir. He will meet top security official and decide the future course of action for the smooth implementation of government plans in the state, which will be converted into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir with Legislative and Ladakh without Legislative - on October 31.

It was not immediately known how long the NSA would stay in the valley.

Earlier, he had stayed for 11 days in Kashmir after the Centre scrapped special status of the state under Article 370 and split it into two UTs on August 5. During that period, he had ensured that there was no violence in the aftermath of the government’s decision. He was seen interacting with the people of the militancy-hit Shopian town in south Kashmir and Downtown Srinagar.

He had also addressed personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and Army separately, telling them about their successes in disturbed areas and underling their importance in ensuring the safety of the country and citizens.

The NSA has been closely monitoring the situation and ensuring smooth coordination between all arms of security forces in the hinterland as well as along the line of control.

Meanwhile, the normal life remained affected in Kashmir for the 52nd consecutive day on Wednesday with public transport off the roads even as few vendors set up their stalls. Main markets and other business establishments continued to remain closed, However, few vendors set up stalls on the TRC Chowk-Lal Chowk axis.