Baltal blast: CRPF arrests 1 suspect in Amarnath

Baltal, Amarnath Base Camp, July 18: One person, believed to be involved in last night, Baltal blast, was arrested by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), mainly responsible for the security of the Amarnath pilgrims.

''Yes we have detained one suspect in connection with late last night's grenade blast, outside the Baltal Base Camp, in which one person was killed and several others wounded,'' CRPF commandant Parveen Kumar, incharge of the camp, told the sources.

The yatra was going on smoothly and the pilgrims left the camp for the holy cave this morning. Similarly, those at the holy cave also started their journey for Baltal, Mr Kumar said.

He said the person arrested was being questioned.

It is too early to confirm firmly his involvement in the blast, he said, adding that the investigation is at a preliminary stage.

He said a sentry saw him running after the blast and later caught hold of him.

If he is proved innocent he will be released, Mr Kumar said, adding that he has to prove why he was present at the area at the time of two blast.

Mr Kumar said a large number of the security force personnel always remained deployed in and outside the camp to thwart any militant attempt to attack the pilgrims.

The incident occurred outside the camp near the shopping complex, he said adding the grenade was lobbed from a distance towards the security force personnel deployed at the main gate. However, it fell near the complex injuring shopkeepers from Tibet and locals.

Mr Kumar said all those, including pilgrims, entering the camp are being properly frisked and their identity checked before allowing them inside the camp.

He said there was no panic among the pilgrims who were busy in singing bhajans and other religious songs almost throughout the night.

The overall incharge of the camp said that situation was normal and normal business resumed this morning.

UNI