Amarnath Yatra under terror threat, 20 militants creep into valley from PoK: Reports

Kashmir : As devotees step towards the holy Amarnath Yatra, the intelligence agencies came to know that at least 20 militants linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are planning to carry out terror attacks on the pilgrimage destination. The intelligence agencies have informed that the terrorists have crept into the valley in two groups from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). If sources are to be believed, the LeT terrorists could possibly attack Kangan area.

Following the intelligence report, the security has been strengthened and forces have been asked to remain on a high alert and maintain vigil around sensitive security installations across the state.

In 2017 Amarnath Yatra around 10 devotees including six women from Gujarat and Mahasrashtra lost their lives after Lashkar militants attacked on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims. The bus bearing the registration number GJ09Z 9976 was attacked around 8.20 pm near Khanabal when it was on its way to from Srinagar-Jammu.

In 2001 also, devotees in Amarnath yatra was targeted when terrorists had struck in the Sheshnag area close to the holy cave of Amarnath, killing 13 people. Prior to that, terrorists had attack Amarnath pilgrims on August 1, 2000 in Pahalgam area, killing 30 people, who also included porters.

Amarnath Yatra is considered as one of the religious pilgrimage tour by Hindu devotees across the world. More than three lakh pilgrims visit the Amarnath shrine every year and the administration is taking all steps to provide facilities for them. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army chief General Bipin Rawat visited Baltal Base Camp to review security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra.

Sources confirmed that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will review security arrangements for the yatra. The two-month-long pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine of Amarnath will start on June 28.