Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Saturday. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 15

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the overall security situation in the state, particularly in the aftermath of the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims, leaving seven dead.During the meeting, which lasted for half-an-hour, a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official said, the Chief Minister shared the details on the steps taken by the state government to maintain peace in the Kashmir valley and specifics on the security arrangement to ensure the security of Amarnath pilgrims.Blaming “external forces” for creating trouble in the state, Mehbooba said, “Kashmir issue is not a law and order problem. It is happening because of external forces. The ongoing fight is a handiwork of external forces and now unfortunately China is also trying to meddle into it.”“The attack on pilgrims was designed to create communal tension in the country. But I am grateful that the entire country, political parties and the Central government, especially the Home Minister, helped us in overcoming the tragedy,” she said.Asked if there was any discussion on Article 370, she said: “When the goods and services tax (GST) was passed, the President reaffirmed that Article 370 will be taken in account… Article 370 is linked to the sentiments of people of Kashmir.”Seven pilgrims were killed by militants in Anantnag district while returning from the Amarnath cave shrine on Monday.Security agencies engaged in anti-militancy operations in the state have been told to implement security plans with full vigour, the MHA official said.So far, more than 1.86 lakh pilgrims have visited the high altitude Himalayan shrine.As many as 21,000 paramilitary personnel in addition to state police forces and two battalions of the Army have been deployed for security of the pilgrimage routes.The number of paramilitary personnel deployed this year is 9,500 more than last year.Four districts of the state – Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag – have been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, 2016. The unrest has resumed since the April 9 bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat.

(With inputs from agencies)