Government order said that there were intelligence inputs on terror attacks.
Image Courtesy: PTI
The government of Jammu and Kashmir has curtailed the Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage for Hindus, and asked the pilgrims to leave the state immediately after the Army reportedly revealed intelligence inputs confirming the possibility of a terror attack.
The order that has been issued by the Home Department, cites “intelligence inputs of possible terror attacks” as the reason for the notification.
The order said, “Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of the safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the Valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible.”
The Amarnath Yatra started on July 1 and was expected to end on August 15. It was earlier suspended till August 4 in view of inclement weather forecast in the Valley. Around 3.5 lakh devotees have performed the annual pilgrimage so far. This figure is reportedly 30% more than last year.
Earlier in the day, the Army said it had information that Pakistan was planning to disrupt the annual pilgrimage.
Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon said, “In the last three-four days, there were confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by Pakistan and its army is trying to disrupt Amarnath Yatra and based on that a thorough search was conducted. We had major successes in these searches.”
Per NDTV, among the Army’s finds were a landmine with Pakistan ordnance factory markings and an M-24 American sniper rifle with a telescopic sight. The Yatra route was being “sanitised for three days”.
The Army and troops held a joint press conference against the backdrop of reports of an increased presence of troops in Kashmir.
“The searches are still going on. The Pakistan Army is desperate to disrupt peace. This will not be allowed to happen. No one can be allowed to disrupt the peace,” said Lt General Dhillon.
Over the past few days, the movement of troops to the state, where central paramilitary personnel are being airdropped in sorties, has fuelled speculation about security threats.
A 100-company or 10,000 personnel of central forces were ordered for the state about a week ago and they were in the process of reaching their posts. The reports of a surge in troop deployment coincided with inputs that the centre is on high alert for August 15 Independence Day celebrations, when terror groups allegedly planning attacks in India are active.