J&K: Govt Issues Advisory For Amarnath Yatris, Tourists To Leave Kashmir; Panic Grips Valley

Earlier, in the day Army had said that searches going on after specific reports that Pakistan is trying to target Amarnath Yatra by planting IEDs and attacking Yatris.

Srinagar: People line up outside a petrol pump in Srinagar, Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. An advisory asking tourists and Amar Nath Yatris to cut short their stay in Kashmir was put out by the army. (PTI Photo/S. Irfan)(PTI8_2_2019_000194B)

New Delhi: Tensions prevailed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as a fresh order asking tourists and Amarnath yatris to leave the Valley triggered panic among the residents as they started stocking up dry ration and essentials, fearing long law and order disturbance. Petrol pumps in the state also witnessed a huge rush of customers. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir  government issued a security advisory in the interest of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists, "that they may curtail their stay in the Valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible", keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats. Earlier, in the day Army had said that searches going on after specific reports that Pakistan is trying to target Amarnath Yatra by planting IEDs and attacking Yatris. "Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible," an order issued by Principal Secretary, Home Department, Shaleen Kabra here read. The order led to panic in Kashmir which has remained tense for the past few days after the Centre ordered deployment of 100 companies of additional troops in the valley. Amarinder directs Punjab officials to ensure Amarnath pilgrims return safely: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the Pathankot district administration on Friday to ensure the safe return of the Amarnath pilgrims after they were asked to leave Kashmir immediately following intelligence inputs of terror threats to the pilgrimage. Singh asked various departments to facilitate the smooth movement of the pilgrims and tourists shifting out the the Kashmir Valley, an official spokesperson said. The chief minister directed the Pathankot deputy commissioner to coordinate the operations for the safety of the pilgrims once they cross the border into Punjab. He has also asked all the departments concerned to cooperate with the district administration, the spokesperson said. Cong urges government not to precipitate crisis in J-K, maintain state's Constitutional guarantees: The Congress urged the government not to take any decision that would precipitate a crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and asked it to ensure the constitutional guarantees given to the state are maintained. The appeal to the government came after a Congress policy planning group on Jammu and Kashmir met under the chairmanship of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.