No specific inputs on threat to Amarnath Yatra: Army

Srinagar, Jun 8: Army on Monday said there were no specific inputs on possible threat to the annual Amarnath Yatra commencing next month but forces have undertaken measures to prevent the anti-national elements from disrupting the pilgrimage.

"At this point in time, we do keep getting generic inputs on the movement of terrorists as it were. So, to relate anything specific to the yatra, I would not do that," Lt Gen Subrata Saha, General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Army Public School here.

The Army commander said the force has launched 'Operation Shiva' to provide environmental security to the two-month long yatra.

"The yatra is starting from July 2 and Army will be providing environmental security to secure all the approaches to the routes of the yatra, including the Chandanwari route and the Baltal route," the GOC said.

The forces will also provide medical as well as communication assistance, he added. On the security arrangements, Saha said aerial surveillance is being conducted to track the movement of anti-social elements.

"We have kept the area under aerial surveillance and are studying the daily feed. The idea is to be situationally aware by effective intelligence means and able to prevent any anti-national elements from trying to disrupt the yatra," Saha said.

He said that elaborate arrangements were being made to counter any security threats.

"By and large the dispositions would be basically designed to ward off similar threats (like the last few years) and depending on the inputs that we get, we will keep modifying or adapting our dispositions to meet the threat as it emerges," he added.

PTI