Amarnath Yatra begins on June 28; intelligence warns of terror attack

Recently 20 terrorists infiltrated into two groups from POK for which ISI used the "KeL launch pad" of POK to intrude them. On Friday, four terrorists, including the head of a local unit inspired the global terror group ISIS Dawood Ahmed Sofi, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. This came just six days before the annual Amarnath Yatra begins. In the gun-battle, a policeman and a civilian also lost their lives.

Hindu Devotees wait in lines to offer prayers during the annual Amarnath Yatra (Pilgrimage) at the Amarnath Cave, where the highly revered ice formation resembling the Shiva Lingam (Phallus of the Hindu God Lord Shiva) is seen in the background. PIC/AFP.

New Delhi: Ahead of annual Amarnath Yatra starting from June 28 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Intelligence Bureau has warned of a terror attack. As per Soures, around 20 terrorists are expected to carry out the attack on pilgrims by infiltrating from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). The Intelligence Bureau has issued a 'specific alert' to other agencies in this regard. Sources say two groups of terrorists are planning to infiltrate from POK. In the first group, 11 to 13 Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists may try to sneak in, while the second group comprising of 6 to 7 Lashkar terrorists will try to enter later. Terrorists may attack Kangan area which falls on the Baltal route on the way to Amarnath Yatra. Recently 20 terrorists infiltrated into two groups from POK for which ISI used the "KeL launch pad" of POK to intrude them. On Friday, four terrorists, including the head of a local unit inspired the global terror group ISIS Dawood Ahmed Sofi, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. This came just six days before the annual Amarnath Yatra begins. In the gun-battle, a policeman and a civilian also lost their lives. The terrorist Sofi, who headed the ISIS affiliate ISJK is believed to be involved in several cases of murder and stone pelting, as per PTI report. The other three, also believed to be with the ISJK, were identified as Aadil Rehman Bhat, Mohammad Ashraf Itoo and Majid Manzoor Dar. Security forces have been carrying out operations to sanitise the Jammu-Srinagar national highway ahead of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage. Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had recently reviewed Amarnath security arrangements. Terror attacks on Amarnath Yatra devotees: Timeline of blood-soaked incidents of pilgrimage Every year ahead of Amarnath Yatra, the security forces have been asked to remain on a high alert and maintain vigil around sensitive areas across the state. In the recent past, there have been multiple incidences of horrifying terror attacks and encounters between the terrorists and the security officials during the Amarnath Yatra. Here is a timeline of what went down year after year at the Amarnath Yatra 2018: Encounter in Khiram village before Amarnath Yatra begins Just six days before the annual Amarnath Yatra begins, four terrorists were killed in an encounter on June 22. The police managed to gun down the chief of the banned Islamic State Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK), Dawood Ahmed Sofi and other three terrorists. The other three were also believed to be with the ISJK. They were identified as Aadil Rehman Bhat, Mohammad Ashraf Itoo and Majid Manzoor Dar, said Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Swayam Prakash Pani, who was supervising the operations. During the crossfire, some civilians were also injured, as per the reports. 2017: Terrorists attack a bus of Amarnath Yatris On 10 July 2017, at least seven people, including six women were killed and at least 18 people were injured in the terror attack when the terrorists fired on their bus. As per the report, the terrorists attacked a civilian bus that was on the Baltal-Jammu route. The bus was carrying more than 50 pilgrims who were mostly from Gujarat and Maharashtra and was returning to Jammu after visiting the cave shrine of Lord Shiva. 2002: Terror attack on pilgrimage camp in Pahalgam In a major strike on Amarnath pilgrims in the year 2002, a lone terrorist attacked pilgrimage camp near Pahalgam. He killed  nine devotees and injured 30 others. 2001: Terrorists target Amarnath yatra in the Sheshnag  The terrorists targetted the Amarnath yatra in the Sheshnag area close to the holy cave of Amarnath. In the horrific incident, 13 people were killed.  2000: Amarnath pilgrimage massacre In August 2000, many people were killed and injured in at least five different coordinated attacks by Kashmiri separatist terrorists in Anantnag district and Doda district of Kashmir Valley. As per the report by firstpost, on 2 August, 2000, 89 people lost their lives including 21 Amarnath yatra pilgrims when terrorists attacked five places in the valley.