J&K governor reviews security for Amarnath Yatra

A day after top army commanders and police officers reconnoitred Amarnath Yatra routes, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra on Saturday reviewed the final security plan during his visit to the base camps.

Vohra, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, visited Sheshnag and reviewed the security and other arrangements being made to receive the pilgrims, who would start arriving on June 28, an official spokesperson said.

After Sheshnag, he said, the governor visited the Pahalgam Helipad, where he inaugurated the newly constructed waiting hall for the pilgrims who would be travelling by the helicopter services to Panjtarni.

“Thereafter, Vohra accompanied by senior police, paramilitary and civil officials proceeded by road to Chandanwari and inspected the ongoing works to upgrade the Chandanwari Access Control Gate. He also visited the area where Langars, shops and other facilities are being set up,” the spokesperson said.

The governor specifically directed the DIG South Kashmir to ensure complete coordination with the CRPF, the BSF, the ITBP, army and traffic police and secure adequate advance information about all yatra-related vehicular movements from Banihal onwards, both towards Pahalgam and Sonamarg, he added.

The two-month-long pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas will commence on June 28. There are intelligence reports that militant outfits — Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) — may carry out attacks on the pilgrims.

Keeping in view the threat, security has been beefed up and an extensive and a foolproof plan has been prepared by security forces.

Last year in July, LeT militants had attacked a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims on Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Anantnag, killing 10 devotees from Gujarat and injuring 18 others.

“There is a higher level of threat perception to Amarnath Yatra this year. The militants may try to carry out fidayeen (suicide) attack as well. Keeping in view, we are taking no chances,” a senior police officer told DH.