First batch of Amarnath pilgrims to depart today
Over 2 lakh pilgrims across the country have registered for the pilgrimage
JAMMU :Amid turmoil in the Valley, especially in south Kashmir, the first batch of Amarnath pilgrims will depart Jammu base camp on Wednesday morning.
The 40-day yatra will commence simultaneously from both routes, traditional Pahalgam-Chandanwari route and shorter but arduous Sonamarg-Baltal route. The yatra will culminate on August 7.
The holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva is situated at around 14,000 feet in south Kashmir hills.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for safety and security of the pilgrims by J&K police, Army and CRPF. Besides JKP, around 30,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed along both yatra routes this year. The army has also deployed five battalions in the Valley for the yatra.
Till date, more than two lakh pilgrims from the country have already registered for the yatra.
Meanwhile, four on-the-spot registration counters in Jammu at Vaishnavi Dham, Saraswati Dham, Mahajan Hall and Ram Mandir were put up on Tuesday.
‘IT’S A BIG CHALLENGE TO CONDUCT YATRA’
Special director general CRPF, SN Shrivastava, said it is a big challenge to conduct a smooth yatra to Amarnath, in the wake of inputs from intelligence agencies that terrorists are planning to scuttle Amarnath yatra this year.
“It is a big challenge but we are sure we will overcome it,” Shrivastava told reporters after inspecting the security arrangements at the Bagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Tuesday.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the overall incharge for conducting the Amarnarth yatra.
“We have taken into account all intelligence agencies inputs which we have received and whatever challenge we anticipate, we have made appropriate arrangements for the yatra,” Shrivastava added.
On the query that there have been IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blasts on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in the past, of which, most of the part will be used by the pilgrims, the special DG CRPF said, “We have strategically deployed satellite trackers, quick reaction team (QRTs), road opening parties (ROPs), bullet proof bunkers and surveillance equipments.”
MILITANTS PLANNING TO TARGET YATRA: INTEL REPORTS
JAMMU: Militants are planning to target 100 policemen and as many pilgrims participating in the Amarnath Yatra, say intelligence reports.
“Intelligence input received from SSP, Anantnag reveals that terrorists have been directed to kill 100 to 150 pilgrims and about 100 police officials,” IGP Kashmir Zone Muneer Khan said in a letter which was sent to the Army, CRPF, and range DIGs.
A copy of the letter went viral on social media. “The attack may be in the form of stand-off fire on yatra convoy which they believe will result in flaring of communal tensions throughout the nation,” the IGP said.