Terror threat to Amarnath Yatra: J and K government issues evacuation notice to Yatris, asks them to return immediately

PM Narendra Modi and COAS Bipin Rawat

The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a notice to Amarnath Yatris currently in the valley asking them to curtail their pilgrimage immediately and return home as soon as possible. The notice, undersigned by Shaleen Kabra, the principal secretary to the Home Department, cites the latest inputs on terror threats on the Yatra as the reason.

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The notice says, “Keeping in view the latest inputs on terror threats, with specific targetting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the security situation in the Kashmir valley, in the interest of the safety and security of the 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.”

The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended since Sunday due to bad weather conditions on the route and mudslides. However, the Indian Army has held a press conference today at Srinagar where Gen KJS Dhillon, the commander of Chinar Corps revealed that an American M-24 sniper rifle and Pakistan made mines have been recovered from the Amarnath Yatra route.

It is notable here that a monumental troops movement has been reported in the valley, kindling speculations of a major scale operation by the central government. As of last night, it was reported that in addition to the 10,000 personnel that were ordered to be deployed in Kashmir last week, another 25,000 personnel, mostly CRPF, are being diverted there.

The CAPF has reportedly taken control of all entry and exit points to the Kashmir valley and the routes have been sealed. However, the MHA had stated that the 10,000 troops were yet all to arrive on their destinations and troop rotations are usual in the forces.

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia