Massive security for Amarnath pilgrimage in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 29 (UNI) In view of the stepped up violence in the Kashmir valley in the recent past, the authorities here have decided to put in place unprecedented security arrangements for the Amarnath pilgrimage, beginning tomorrow, official sources said today.

Subject to the weather conditions, the annual two-month-long pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath would commence simultaneously from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes on Vrat Purnima from tomorrow to conclude on Shravan Purnima, the Raksha Bandhan day, on August 28.

They said about 4000 forces have been deployed from Shaitan Nullah on the Srinagar-Jammu National highway to the holy cave shrine from both traditional Pahalgam and shorter Baltal routes.

The sources said these were in addition to the security forces already deployed for counter-insurgency operations across Kashmir.

They said the security forces have been deployed well ahead of the commencement of the Amarnath pilgrimage.

The sources said while majority of the forces have been drawn from the Central Reserve Police force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF) had minimum participation in the deployment.

Though the Army has no role in the security aspect of the Amarnath pilgrimage, the higher peaks along the routes were already occupied by the troops.

The sources said the security forces, armed with modern gadgets, have been deployed in strength at the holy cave shrine and the base camps at Baltal and Nunwan, Pahalgam.

Besides, the security personnel would escort the devotees right from Jammu to the holy cave shrine, they added.

The sources a number of security camps have been set up at different places along both the routes, and also at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath for the benefit of pilgrims.

The security personnel deployed in these camps were trained to meet any eventuality, they said, adding the forces would conduct area domination on daily basis during the pilgrimage.

The sources said the vehicles carrying pilgrims would be allowed to move toward the base camps only after the Road Opening Party (ROP) gave its green signal in this regard.

Meanwhile, CRPF Director General S I S Ahmad, who is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, reviewed the security arrangements for the pilgrimage and also for counter-insurgency operations.

Immediately on his arrival from New Delhi, senior CRPF officials briefed Mr Ahmad about the overall security situation in Kashmir.

The CRPF chief also visited Baltal and Pahalgam, base camps for the Amarnath pilgrimage, and the holy cave shrine to take stock of the security arrangements made to ensure 'safe' pilgrimage at different halting points along both the routes.

UNI