Jammu Kashmir government has advised Amarnath Yatris and tourists visiting the state to cut short their visits and return as soon as possible in the wake of of perceived terror threat particularly on the Amarnath Yatra.
The J&K government which is currently headed by the Governor Satya Pal Malik cited and intelligence inputs regarding ‘specific terror threats’ to the pilgrims the Principal Secretary(Home) issued a security advisory stating Tourists and pilgrims ‘may curtail their stay’ and ‘return as soon as possible’.
The advisory read ‘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’.
The centre has within the past week send additional 38,000 troops to the valley despite the fact that government has stated in Parliament that terror activities have reduced in the valley. Reason for this additional troop deployment remains unclear while many experts term it a precaution for the upcoming Independence Day, some feel that this measure is for curbing any possible infiltration attempts by Pakistan backed terrorists from across the border. There are some who speculate that government is planning to do away with the the contentious Article 370 and Article 35 A hence getting ready for any possible security challenge that may crop up.
