Amarnath Yatra has begins amidst impending threats that Pakistan-based terror groups could target this annual religious event, reports NDTV.
Quoting intelligence sources the website reported that the ‘fidayins’ had been ordered to target the yatra with suicide attacks. Keeping this threat in mind the Indian army has launched ‘Operation Shiva’ with 7500 soldiers being tasked to local ’15-20 terrorists’ who are reported to have infiltrated the Indian territory.
These potential suicide bombers have received instructions reportedly from the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both the central paramilitary forces and the local police have deployed another 10,000 people to protect the devotees and the two commonly used routes to the shrine.
According to the report, home minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security arrangements for the yatra on Thursday in Srinagar. The pilgrimage, conducted over 59 days, is considered to be among the holiest shrines for Hindus.
Telecom infrastructure and telecom employees too are likely to be targetted primarily to disrupt communication. In May, telecom towers as well as shops offering mobile phone services in the Sopore area of Northern Kashmir were targeted.
Kiran Rijiju, minister of state(home), told the news channel, “There are credible inputs that some elements may try to attack the yatra. We have made all possible arrangements and taken all possible precautions, but nonetheless we cannot let our vigil or guard down.”
According to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has said that more than two lakh people are likely to take the yatra this year.