Amarnath Yatra Curtailed Amid Heightened Fear Of Terror Attack

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday curtailed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra after intelligence report suggested that the pilgrims might come under terrorist attack.

The yatra, which started on July 1, was scheduled to end on August 14. However, inclement weather had already put the brakes on the pilgrims’ voyage to the holy cave till August 4.

More than 3.5 lakh devotees, including hundreds from Odisha, have performed the annual pilgrimage.

“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 the 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,” a security advisory issued by the state government said.

Earlier in the day, the Army had said that it had credible information about Pakistan-based terror outfits planning an attack on the pilgrims. An M-24 American sniper rifle with a telescope was recovered along the yatra route, it added.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of the Centre rushing 100 companies of central force to J&K in view of the heightened threat perception in the valley.