Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday asked Amarnath Yatris and tourists to immediately make necessary arrangements to cut short their stay in the Valley and return as soon as possible in the wake of ‘intelligence inputs of specific threats to the pilgrimage.’
The Principal Secretary (Home) issued a security advisory, saying pilgrims and tourists “may curtail their stay” and “return as soon as possible”.
“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,” it said.
Meanwhile addressing a press conference, the Indian Army on Friday said that there are ‘confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by the Pakistan Army are trying to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra.’
Meanwhile, over the past few days, the movement of troops to the state, where central paramilitary personnel are being airdropped in sorties, has fuelled speculation about ‘security threats.’ There are speculations that Government of India might take a decision regarding the Article 35-A and 370, which accords special status to residents of JK.
Earlier, during the day former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that reason for putting the Army and the Air force on high alert cannot be related to Article 35-A or dilimitation but something else.
Moreover, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti also reiterated that any move which will be aimed at attacking the special statusof the state will be opposed.
