6000 Para-military personnel for security to Amarnath yatra

Jammu, Jun 4 (UNI) To ensure safety to the pilgrims, the centre will send 50 additional companies of Para Military Forces to augment the security cover for the Amarnath Yatra, from June 11 to August 9.

Official sources said 50 companies having aproximately 6,000 personnel would be deployed on the main routes leading to the cave shrine, situated at the height of 13,500 feet above sea level in south Kashmir.

The fear of possible terrorist strikes on the Amarnath pilgrims has risen following a spate of attacks on tourists in the Kashmir valley. Five tourists were killed and more than 60 injured in the four grenade explosions within a span of 10 days, from May 22 to May 31.

Though there have been no attacks on pilgrims in the past three years, the authorities do not want to take any chances. ''We have sought help from the Centre, and we have been promised 50 companies of para-military Forces, which is expected to arrive within the next few days, a senior police officer said.

Besides, the units of Rashtriya Rifles, the counter insurgency wing of the Indian Army, along with the state police, will be looking after three layers of security along the route. About five lakh pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

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