Srinagar: The upcoming Amarnath Yatra, beginning on June 30, faces heightened threat from Pakistani and Pakistan-supported terrorists, to foil which the security establishment has chalked out intensive and elaborate protective system.
The pilgrimage to the Holy Cave of Lord Shiva in the mountains of South Kashmir will continue for 43 days.
The government expects lakhs of devotees to participate in the yatra, especially because the annual pilgrimage could not take place physically during the last two years because of Covid restrictions.
Inputs received by the security establishment suggest that the terrorists could make determined attempts to target the pilgrimage or pilgrims, according to officials.
The threat perception this time is bigger than the previous years, according to the officials.
Ahead of the pilgrimage, Kashmir Zone IGP Vijay Kumar today held the final security review meeting with top officials of the Army, CRPF, BSF, ITBP and civil administration to discuss plans to foil the evil designs of terrorists and ensure a smooth and safe yatra.
The so-called terrorist outfit ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), which is a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit, has already issued threats to target the yatra.
Security forces have already killed a number of terrorists in encounters which took place in and around the Yatra route in Kashmir.
Sources said a greater number of security personnel have been deployed in multiple layers along the Yatra route for the safe pilgrimage.
Checking has been intensified all along the route, right from Jammu to Kashmir, and surveillance is being mounted through the use of CCTV cameras and drones.
Quick Reaction Teams of commandos have been positioned at various places in case of any eventuality.
