Army Inputs Suggest Amarnath Yatra A Target For Terrorists This Year

The Indian Amry informed on Friday that terrorists are targeting the Amarnath Yatra this year. The yatra is supposed to begin on July 21.

Representative Photo: PTI

New Delhi: With just four days to go for the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra the Indian Army announced on Friday that it may be a target for terrorists. According to a report by ANI, the NH-44 taken by the devotees remain sensitive to attacks. The information comes through credible sources. “There are inputs that the terrorists would try their best to target the yatra. NH 44 continues to be sensitive because that is the route that the yatris would take to go to the North route, said Brigadier VS Thakur, Commander 2 sector in a report by ANI. This year the yatra is supposed to begin from 21st July. The first pooja was held on 5th July at the cave and Pahalgam. Given the constraints due to corona lockdown, a maximum of only 500 pilgrims would be allowed per day by road from Jammu this year. This year the yatra will take place from the Baltal route and the Pahalgam route will not be open for pilgrims. According to Thakur the NH-44 will remain sensitive but the army is ensuring the yatra takes place safely. "This axis is a bit sensitive. The yatris will take up this axis to go up to Sonamarg (Ganderbal) and this (Baltal) is the only route that will be active to go up to the Amarnath cave. We remain committed to ensuring Amarnath Yatra will be conducted peacefully without any hindrance and the security situation will continue to remain under control," said Thakur in the report. Due to COvid 19 outbreak, it was decided that as per the Disaster Management Act and SoPs for Covid19, a 100% RTPCR test will be conducted for all persons traveling into J&K for the yatra. And all pilgrims and sadhus will be sampled, tested and quarantined till they are reported to be negative. Keeping in view the social distancing norms, Yatra this year would be undertaken in a restricted manner so that the SoPs for Covid-19 are strictly adhered to during the conduct of the Yatra. The duration of the yatra is short and will last for only 15 days. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who visited Leh on Friday (July 17)  may also visit the Amarnath Caves today.