Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Jammu and Kashmir on a three-day visit from Saturday amid tight security measures to review the security arrangements in the Union Territory.

Shah is expected to review security with police and security forces and devise a fresh strategy to deal with militant violence.

This will be Shah’s first visit to J&K since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and bifurcation of J&K state by centre on August 5, 2019.

The security across Kashmir especially in Srinagar has been beefed up ahead of the HM’s three-day visit to J&K. The police and central armed police force have been asked to be on an alert. Frisking has also been increased in various localities of Srinagar.

The security forces continue to seize two wheelers, even though police maintain that this has nothing to do with the Home Minister's visit. In the last two days, hundreds of two wheelers have been seized by police in various police stations.

“Forces are maintaining a high vigil alert ahead of the visit to avoid any untoward incident,” said a security officer.

During the three-day visit, the Home Minister, sources said, would be holding a high level security review meeting in Srinagar where officers from various security and intelligence agencies are going to brief the minister about the overall situation and steps being taken to stop targeted civilian killings.

Shah is also scheduled to review the progress in the implementation of various developmental projects under the Prime Minister's package . He would also be interacting with Panchayati Raj representatives and some mainstream politicians in Kashmir.

The visit comes at a time when there have been a series of targeted killings in Kashmir.

At least 12 civilians including five migrant workers, three minority community members and four locals have been shot dead by militants in Valley this month so far. The killing of migrant workers has led to exodus of non local labourers from the Valley.

The drones flew across Srinagar to keep a tab of any suspicious movement of the people while motorboats of the CRPF scanned the Dal Lake and the Jhelum River that flows through the interiors of the city.

"Snipers and sharpshooters have been deployed at strategic places. Vehicles are being checked and pedestrians are being frisked. It's not to harass the public but for their safety, too," a CRPF official said.

Police and CRPF have jointly put together an "aerial surveillance cover" over the areas where members of the minority communities live besides over the city centre - Lal Chowk - to prevent further attacks by militants.

Meanwhile, the famed Boulevard road in Srinagar would remain closed to the public for three days beginning tomorrow.

In an advisory, city traffic police has said that in connection with visit of VVIP from 23rd to 25th October, the Boulevard road from Badyari to Nishat and Gupkar will remain closed.

The advisory reads that the motorists are requested to opt for Foreshore-Habak-Hazratbal route or Tailbal - Zakoora Hazratbal route and Badyari-Hazratbal route for return journey.

It reads that the tourists shall be allowed up to Nehru Park after proper verification of their places of stay.

The advisory further reads that the route for medical emergencies shall be decided on spot.

Sources said Amit Shah would visit Jammu on October 4.

“At Jammu, besides addressing a public rally, he will also be meeting J&K BJP leaders and some delegations. Security arrangements have been tightened in the Jammu city as security forces have enhanced checking points at many locations,” they said.

He said the main venue for the rally at Bhagwati Nagar has been sealed while additional check points are also being raised as a security exercise.

The visit of the Union Minister is a part of the Centre’s continuing outreach campaign and he is also expected to review the implementation of development schemes.