Security tightened for Amarnath Yatra due to rise in terrorist activity

File photo: PTI

Jammu: Ahead of this year's Amarnath yatra, the security forces have been strengthened across the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) to neutralize any attempt of infiltration by terrorists. 

“Adequate forces have been deployed on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Law and order and counter-intelligence are the main focus areas,” said VSK Kaumudi, Additional DG J&K Zone, CRPF in Srinagar to news agency ANI.

The move comes a day after Jammu and Kashmir was placed under Governor N N Vohra's rule on Wednesday. 

Vohra brought in former top cop Vijay Kumar, a counter-insurgency specialist, as one of his two advisers. 

The Governor's rule was imposed in the state within 24 hours of the breakdown of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - People's Democratic Party (PDP) alliance in the state Assembly. 

Anti-terrorist operations, suspended during the month of Ramzan, also resumed last week. 

Reviewing the security measures, Vohra asked Armed Forces to maintain "highest level of alertness" and "synergy," a police spokesman said.

The two-month long pilgrimage to the 3,880 metre high cave shrine of Amarnath will commence on June 28. 

All border police stations, posts and check-points have also been directed to be strengthened and activated to neutralize any infiltration by terrorists, the spokesman added. A system to share intelligence on a real time basis by Officers “so that nefarious designs of anti-national elements and their mentors can be thwarted”  has also been implemented. Night patrolling will also be organised on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Singh Rawat on Wednesday said that the imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir will not affect the anti-terror operations.

“We only stopped our operations during Ramzan. But, we saw what happened. The imposing of Governor's rule will not affect our operations. Our operations will go on like they used to. We don't face any political interference,” said Rawat.

With agency inputs