Terrorism curbed in J&K, peace taking roots in Kashmir: Shah
Sajid Raina
SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said significant success had been achieved in curbing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the region, along with the Northeast and areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism, was witnessing peace and development.
Addressing a Police Commemoration Day ceremony at the National Police Memorial, Shah lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces for their role in tackling terrorism and restoring peace in areas that had faced prolonged internal security challenges.
He said the three major hotspots of internal security challenges—Kashmir, the Northeast and Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas—were now moving towards peace and development.
Paying homage to police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty, the Home Minister said their sacrifices had laid the foundation for the country’s security and progress. He described police personnel as both the first and last line of defence in maintaining internal security, safeguarding borders, upholding law and order and ensuring the smooth conduct of democratic processes.
2026 A SIGNIFICANT YEAR FOR INDIAN POLICE
Shah described 2026 as a significant year for the Indian police, claiming that the country had achieved freedom from Naxalism on March 31 after decades of violence.
He said more than 3,600 security personnel and nearly 13,700 civilians had lost their lives due to Naxalism between 1981 and March 2026. Paying tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice, he said the nation remained indebted to the martyrs and their families for their contribution to national security.
Recalling the origin of Police Commemoration Day, Shah said October 21 was observed every year in memory of 10 CRPF personnel who were killed while resisting an attack by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959.
NATIONAL POLICE MEMORIAL HONOURS SACRIFICES
The Home Minister said the National Police Memorial, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, honoured the sacrifices of police personnel from across the country and had become a place of reverence for citizens.
He also urged police forces to intensify the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, saying the Union Home Ministry had set a target of freeing the country from the drug menace by December 31, 2029.
Calling upon police forces to implement the roadmap for a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ prepared under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah warned that drug abuse threatened the future of young people and could also provide financial support to organisations with anti-national intentions.
FLAGS OFF MOTORCYCLE RALLY AGAINST DRUGS
On the occasion, Shah flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally carrying the message ‘Fight Against Drugs’. Around 90 riders from various states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, along with personnel from central armed police forces and other security organisations, are participating in the rally.
According to the Union Home Ministry, the riders will travel to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat to participate in the Ekta Parade-2026.
Shah also praised the Central Armed Police Forces for conducting elections, managing security during public events and safeguarding the country’s borders. He said security personnel had ensured that the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections were conducted without a single fatality, describing it as a significant achievement in electoral security.
The Home Minister said police personnel continued to perform their duties during festivals and other public occasions, often remaining away from their families to ensure public safety and internal security.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Mahesh Dixit, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General Shatrujeet Kapoor and heads of other central armed police forces.
Days of terrorist supporters over, they will be punished: Sinha
Vows to free J&K from separatist and terrorist elements; reaffirms support to families of police martyrs
SRINAGAR, Oct 21 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday warned those supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir that their days were over, asserting that even if they attempted to hide underground, they would be traced and punished under the law.
Paying tribute to police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty on Police Commemoration Day, the Lieutenant Governor said the resolve must be to identify and eliminate terrorism and all elements associated with it in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our goal is to identify and root out terrorism and every element associated with it in Jammu Kashmir. Today, we must resolve that we will not rest until this land is freed from separatist and terrorist elements,” he said.
Remembering the courage, dedication and patriotism of police martyrs, Sinha said their service and sacrifice remained an enduring source of inspiration for Jammu and Kashmir and the nation.
He expressed deep respect and sympathy for the bereaved families and prayed for their health and well-being. Acknowledging that no assistance or recognition could compensate for the loss of a loved one, he said it was the nation’s responsibility to honour the sacrifices of martyrs through meaningful support and care.
“I assure the entire Jammu Kashmir Police family that every possible effort will continue to be made to ensure a dignified life, welfare, and necessary support for the families of the martyrs,” he said.
J&K POLICE’S SACRIFICE AN INSPIRATION
The Lieutenant Governor praised the Jammu and Kashmir Police for its courage, discipline and unwavering commitment to duty. From maintaining law and order and combating terrorism to assisting citizens during emergencies and natural disasters, he said, the force had rendered distinguished service under challenging circumstances.
He noted that thousands of J&K Police personnel had laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism, adding that their courage inspired the police system across the country.
“The nation will never forget the contribution of immortal martyrs, who dedicated everything to the honour, dignity and glory of the Tricolour,” he said.
Sinha said the police uniform symbolised service, responsibility and sacrifice, adding that the true measure of policing lay in ensuring public safety, delivering justice and standing by society during crises.
He said the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces had protected the country’s security and integrity through numerous challenges since Independence. Peace, stability and progress in Jammu and Kashmir, he added, were vital to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.
The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening peace and development in the Union Territory and urged citizens to uphold unity, communal harmony and mutual trust while remaining vigilant against forces seeking to disturb peace.
CALL FOR STRONGER ACTION AGAINST NARCO-TERRORISM
Sinha stressed the need to protect women, children and vulnerable sections of society, strengthen measures against drug trafficking and firmly tackle narco-terrorism and its support networks.
He said preventing crimes against women and children, ensuring the protection of vulnerable people and delivering timely justice to victims must remain among the highest priorities. He called for regular reviews of systems designed to monitor and control such crimes.
The Lieutenant Governor also urged collective commitment towards a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir and commended the J&K Police, Army and CAPFs for their courage, service and dedication to duty.
J&K will always stand by families of fallen heroes: DGP
Nalin Prabhat listens to grievances of martyrs’ next of kin at Zewan, assures all possible support; 1,621 fallen heroes remembered, blood donation camp organised
Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday assured the families of police martyrs that the Jammu and Kashmir Police would continue to stand by them and provide all possible assistance.
On Police Commemoration Day, Prabhat met the next of kin of police personnel who had laid down their lives in the line of duty at the Armed Police Complex, Zewan, Srinagar. He listened to their grievances and assured them that their concerns would be addressed and no injustice would be done to them.
Accompanied by senior officers, the DGP paid homage to the martyrs and reiterated the department’s responsibility towards their bereaved families.
The observance also featured a blood donation camp in which Prabhat and senior police officers donated blood. The officers interacted with the martyrs’ families and assured them of all possible support.
The occasion highlighted the enduring personal loss borne by families even as the police force and the nation remember the sacrifices of their loved ones.
FALLEN HEROES REMEMBERED
The J&K Police paid special tribute to personnel who laid down their lives during the period from September 1, 2025, to August 30, 2026. The names listed in the commemorative tribute were Inspector Asrar ul Haq, Head Constable Ashaq Hussain, Selection Grade Constable Aijaz Afzal, Selection Grade Constable Mohammad Amin, Constable Amjid Ali, Constable Arshid Ahmad and Constable Javid Mansoor.
The force also paid homage to its 1,621 fallen heroes, reiterating that their courage, dedication and sacrifice would never be forgotten.
“Heroes Never Die!” the J&K Police said in its commemorative message.
Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21 in memory of police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. The date marks the sacrifice of 10 policemen killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, on October 21, 1959.
The day honours police martyrs across the country and recognises their contribution to public safety and national security.
The J&K Police, whose service history dates back to 1873, renewed its tribute to the fallen heroes and reiterated its commitment to supporting their families.