Security personnel on high alert after Pulwama-like terror threat on pilgrimage route
Security personnel deployed on perilous Amarnath Yatra routes/base camps have been directed to remain on high alert on account of the third death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander and poster boy Burhan Wani.
Security forces had eliminated him in a fierce gunfight in Kokernag area of Anantnag on July 8 in 2016.
The directions were issued to the foot soldiers following recent assessment by the Central and State intelligence agencies of prevailing security situation in the State.
According to the latest assessment, “Threat of a Pulwama-like terror strike, using IEDs by the cadre of Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM), on the Amarnath yatra convoy/base camps of pilgrims is looming large since beginning of the yatra period from July 1.”
Meanwhile, over 14,402 pilgrims paid obeisance at the naturally-formed ice lingam in the cave shrine of Amarnath on Saturday, an official spokesperson said. Till date, 81,630 yatris have paid obeisance at the shrine, he said.
In the wake of the terror attack on a CRPF convoy along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in February this year, more than 60,000 security personnel were entrusted with the job of securing annual pilgrimage this year.
Late Saturday evening, separatists issued a shutdown call in Kashmir on the third death anniversary of Burhan Wani.
In a statement, the JRL — an amalgam of separatist outfits — has appealed to the people to observe complete shutdown on July 8. Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh, along with other senior officers of paramilitary forces, has been regularly visiting base camps and yatra routes to review the security arrangements in order to ensure incident free pilgrimage.
To prevent repeat of Pulwama-like terror strike, the State Government had earlier imposed traffic restrictions on civilian vehicular movement along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Meanwhile, CRPF on Saturday launched a mobile help centre that will visit different lodgement centres here to address the problems being faced by Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, an official said. This is in addition to the help desks set up by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the Jammu railway station and the airport. The initiative was welcomed by the devotees undertaking the arduous journey to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath.
Meanwhile, at least 20 people among the Amarnath pilgrims were injured in a road accident in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday.
The accident was reported around 2.30 pm in Hernag area of Anantnag. Police sources said two buses carrying Amarnath Yatris rammed into each other on Saturday afternoon.