By IANS
Srinagar : Despite a qualitative improvement in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, militants still have the capacity to disrupt peace in the state, union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said here Thursday.
Addressing a press conference here, he said: "The possible nature in which the security situation can be challenged remains the same."
Refusing to answer directly whether the time was ripe for de-militarisation in the state, Gupta said: "A committee headed by the defence secretary has been formed to look into this, and he is better qualified to comment on it.
"We are moving towards peace, we have to be watchful and careful."
Asked about a recent CD circulated here purportedly by the Al Qaeda declaring jehad on India, the home secretary said: "It would be speculative to comment on it. The state government and other agencies are looking into it, but an attempt has been made to create a scare among the general public here. They should not panic. If it merits a response, it will be there."
He also said an exercise was on to work out the mechanism to implement recommendations of the working groups on Kashmir.
The working groups were formed in May last year during the first round table conference chaired here by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Gupta, on his first visit to Kashmir after taking over as home secretary, met Governor Lt. Gen. (retd) S.K. Sinha, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and senior police, paramilitary and intelligence officials during his two-day stay.