Udhampur terror attack: Were Amarnath yatris main target?

Jammu: The brazen attack on a BSF convoy in Udhampur on Wednesday morning has renewed concerns about the safety of thousands of Amarnath pilgrims paying a visit to the revered holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in South Kashmir every year.

What is enough to send the entire security establishment in a tizzy is the fact that the terror attack on the BSF convoy came soon after a batch of Amarnath pilgrims had passed the spot.

The attack also raises questions about the safety of Amarnath yatris in the backdrop of intelligence reports that some terror outfits operating from Pakistani soil have sent its members to Jammu and Kashmir with clear orders to plan 'fidayeen' attacks targeting the annual Amarnath Yatra.

In view of the alarming inputs received from the intelligence agencies, the central and the J&K government has ordered the security forces to be on maximum alert.

The Indian Army has also recently launched ''Operation Shiva'', with 7,500 soldiers assigned to keep a watch on suspected terrorists who have reportedly entered Kashmir from across the border ahead of the yatra to execute the orders of their handlers based in Pakistan.

Central paramilitary forces and the local police have also deployed another 10,000 people to protect the devotees and the two commonly used routes to the shrine.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier reviewed the security arrangements for the yatra in Srinagar.