Rajnath Singh audits Jammu and Kashmir circumstance; NSA, Home Secy attend the meeting

New Delhi, Feb 19 Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday reviewed the security situation in the nation, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, where 40 CRPF Jawans were killed in an audacious terror attack last week, officials said.

Five security personnel, including a major, were martyred in the state on Monday in an encounter in which three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) psychological oppressors, including two best leaders accepted to be behind the February 14 Pulwama dread assault, were additionally wiped out.

During the meeting, the home minister was briefed about the common security circumstance in Jammu and Kashmir, including along the Indo-Pak border, a home ministry official said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval too took an interest in the gathering which was gone to by Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba, chief of the intelligence bureau Rajiv Jain besides others.

The meeting also took stock of the steps being taken to hunt down the terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir and how to check attempts of infiltrations from across the border.

The home minister directed the officials to ensure that all possible steps should to be taken against the terrorists presently working in Kashmir valley and insurance of guiltless Kashmiris living in various parts of the nation, the authority said.

Forty CRPF work force were killed and five harmed on Thursday in one of the deadliest fear assaults in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

The bus was part of a guard of 78 vehicles conveying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.

Lt. Gen KJS Dhillon, administrator of Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, said on Tuesday that anyone who picks up the gun will be eliminated.

He also requested mothers of Kashmiri militants to persuade their sons to surrender.