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Journalism of Courage
The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government said on Wednesday that there is a terror threat to the pilgrims of the nearly two-month-long annual Amarnath Yatra due to start in 10 days. Additional security forces will be deployed for the safety of the pilgrims.
There is a terror threat to Amarnath Yatra, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporters in New Delhi. He added that the government was taking precautions and deploying additional forces to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. All efforts will be made to ensure the security of every pilgrim, he said.
The Yatra is due to commence on June 28.
Shindes assessment came even as the J&K government declared that the entire pilgrimage route was highly prone to terrorist attacks and directed security forces to augment their vigil. The Army Monday had said it has received inputs that terrorists might try to disrupt the Yatra. The security arrangements for the Yatra also came up for review at the Unified Headquarters meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar.
Considering the security scenario,topography of the Yatra area,high potential of terrorist attacks on the yatris to create law and order situation throughout the state and the country,sensitive nature of the yatra,and the high publicity it generates,the entire Yatra area is highly prone to terrorist attacks, the J&K Home Department said in a circular issued to all agencies concerned.
The circular,issued last week,directed the Army,police and other security forces to take action as per their standard operating procedures in the matter to ensure safe pilgrimage.
Directions (and) inputs received in this regard from intelligence agencies and Unified HQ should be promptly shared with other security forces (and) intelligence agencies and necessary action should be initiated to prevent any mishap.
The security agencies have also been directed to carry out aerial surveillance of the pilgrimage area.
Besides adequate deployment of security forces at the yatra camps,aerial surveillance of the yatra area may be undertaken and spotters may be deployed in adequate numbers at the yatra camps,particularly at the Holy Cave Shrine area to spot unwanted activities (and) suspicious characters.
