Govt cites terror threat, asks Amarnath pilgrims, tourists to curtail Kashmir stay

Citing intelligence inputs of terror threats in the Kashmir Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir government has advised tourists and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims curtail their stay there and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible.

The Principal Secretary (Home) issued a security advisory, saying pilgrims and tourists “may curtail their stay” and “return as soon as possible”.

“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 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,” it said.

The Indian Army on Friday (August 2) said that it has inputs about attempts being made by Pakistan to disrupt the Amarnath yatra.

In a joint press briefing of security forces in Srinagar, Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon said that Pakistan was trying to disrupt peace in the Valley and that searches were conducted in Shopian on Thursday.

During the searches, a mine with Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings was seized.

The forces have also found a huge cache of arms along the Amarnath Yatra route which included a US M-24 sniper rifle and a mine with markings of the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, Dhillon said.

Also Read: Top Pakistani JeM terrorist, associate killed in encounter in Shopian

More than 10 serious attempts to trigger IED blasts were made in the Valley mostly in Pulwama and Shopian areas, IG Kashmir SP Pani said. The Army also said 83 per cent of terrorists have history of stone pelting.

Further, the Army said that the situation along the LoC is now under control and largely peaceful. It added that it will not allow Pakistan to disturb peace in Kashmir.

Why wasn’t Parliament taken into confidence, asks CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury hit out at the government on Friday over the security advisory issued for Amarnath pilgrims and tourists in Kashmir valley, saying Parliament should have been taken into confidence before sending out such a missive.

In a tweet, the Left leader also alleged that rumours were being allowed to fester in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Parliament is in session. Why isnt the PM taking the House into confidence? The panic and rumours allowed to fester in J&K are helping nobody,” Yechury said in the tweet.

(With inputs from agencies)