Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Sushil Kumar Shinde confirms terror threat on Amarnath Yatra


 
New Delhi: Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has confirmed reports that the iconic Amarnath Yatra is under threat from terrorists and the security agencies are working hard to ensure safety of pilgrims.

“There is terror threat to Amarnath yatra and all measures are being taken to ensure security of pilgrims,” he told PTI.

The Amarnath Yatra beginning on June 28 is under threat from Pakistan terrorists as Intelligence sources and the Army have observed the increased militant attempts to penetrate the counter insurgency grid in South Kashmir's Anantnag area.

Reports suggest that many of the terrorists who have crossed borders last month have merged with the local population and are the biggest threat to the pilgrims.

The Army has received inputs that terrorists might try to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to commence from June 28, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt General K T Parnaik said on Monday.

"Intelligence inputs which we are receiving suggest that they (terrorists) have intentions to disrupt the Yatra," Parnaik told reporters on the occasion of the Raising Day of the Northern Command.

He, however, said it was difficult to gauge where from these threats were emanating and how the terrorists might try to attack the pilgrimage.

"These warnings are coming, but who these persons are and where from they are coming, how will they strike one doesn't know," he said.

The General said the forces need to maintain a high degree of alert and foil any such attempt made by the anti-national elements.
 
 

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