Ahead of the beginning of the 42-day long Amarnath yatra from June 30, two more terrorists were gunned down by the joint team of the security forces in Trubji area of South Kashmir's Kulgam district while a Pakistani intruder was shot dead by BSF personnel in R S Pura sector while he was trying to sneak inside the Indian territory on Monday.
On the other hand, Doda police also arrested one terrorist and recovered 01 Chinese pistol, 02 Magazine,14 live cartridges and one mobile phone from his possession.
The entire security grid across Jammu and Kashmir is already in a state of high alert to ensure peaceful conduct of the yatra. Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar chaired the final security review meeting related to Amarnath Yatra in South Kashmir’s Anantnag.
GOC Victor Force, IG CRPF, DIGs of BSF, ITBP, CRPF & JKP besides South Kashmir district SSPs & Commanding Officers attended the meeting. Real threats & countermeasures being taken by police and security forces were reviewed to ensure incident free yatra this year.
Official sources in Jammu claimed, the Pakistani intruder must have been sent on a path finding mission or to look for possible infiltration routes to push fresh batch of infiltrators to execute a terror plot during the yatra period. In the recent weeks several attempts have been made by Pakistan based agencies to smuggle arms consignment using drones to deliver arms and ammunition or drop magnetic improvised explosive device (IEDs) or sticky bombs to sabotage peace in Jammu region.
Keeping in view the threat, special security checkpoints have been activated along the entire yatra route while quick reaction teams have been deployed near the yatri base camps at different locations to ensure safety of the pilgrims. The base camps and other vital transit points including refreshment counters, resting places have been kept under close watch with the help of drone cameras to record any suspected movement of miscreants.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) Monday visited Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar and reviewed arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims. The security forces are alert and have made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Yatra, besides it has been our endeavor to make the best arrangements this year, the Governor added.
The Lt Governor directed the concerned officials to ensure health facilities, adequate number of Doctors, nursing staff, sanitation staff, duty officers on the Yatra routes. Earlier, the Lt Governor was briefed by concerned officers regarding the facilities along the Yatra route, besides the arrangements in regard to water, power supply, sewage disposal, food and RFID counters at the Yatri Niwas. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the visit, the Lt Governor said, lakhs of families had to face financial hardship since Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra could not be held for the last two years due to Covid pandemic. There is a lot of enthusiasm in the people of Jammu region and in Kashmir too this year and I see the local people are also ready to welcome the visiting pilgrims.
As notified earlier, the yatra will commence on the Baltal and Chandanwari routes simultaneously from June 30.