To ensure a smooth-going for the Army’s ‘winter-stocking’ exercise, the Government will not scale down the heavy security deployment on the crucial National Highway-44 stretch connecting Kashmir Valley to ladakh even after the culmination of the Amarnath Yatra.
“Intelligence inputs suggest a possible terror strike on the convoys carrying rations and other essentials for the troops posted in leh and ladakh and on the line of Actual Control (lAC) facing China before the onset of winter and closure of the route due to snowfall,” sources said.
Normally, one battalion (one battalion has 1,000 soldiers) is deployed for the winter exercise but this time all the three battalions deployed along the nearly 220-km-long NH-44 in Kashmir Valley for the ongoing Yatra security on the stretch will stay put for “other activities” including security umbrella to “winter stocking” and anti-terrorist operations, the sources added.
The two additional battalions on the two alternate routes through Baltal and Sonmarg to the holy shrine will, however, be taken off duty after the Yatra.
The Army starts its “winter stocking” exercise every year beginning June to ensure enough reserves for the troops deployed in ladakh during the winter months. The convoys carrying essentials like ammunition, diesel, kerosene, winter clothes for troops and food ply on the NH-44. The exercise stops by November-end after snowfall blocks the onward roads including Zojila Pass. The pass remains closed for nearly five months virtually cutting off ladakh from the rest of the country.
In order to maintain operational preparedness in terms of adequate war fighting material in the backdrop of this ground situation wherein logistical chain is blocked due to snow, the Army has to undertake this exercise, officials said.
Since these convoys are the “lifeline” of the troops in ladakh and beyond till the lAC, the Army and Government have taken the Intelligence input about possible targets and disruptions of the exercise by the terrorists “very seriously”, they said.
Incidentally, this is the first time that the Army has pressed into service three battalions instead of one due to threat to the Yatra. At present, the “main concern” is to ensure incident-free Amarnath Yatra, they said. Terrorists had attacked the pilgrimage on July 11 in Anantnag district killing eight yatris hailing from Gujarat.