The killing of five central reserve police force men in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir has raised concerns about the safety of Amarnath pilgrims, with Governor Satya Pal Malik calling it a Pak-sponsored attack.
Wednesday's assault on the CRPF personnel was carried out on a stretch of road that is part of the Amarnath Yatra route. The Hindu pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 1 and end on August 15.
"Whenever situation improves in the valley when forces have an upper hand, directions are given from outside for fidayeen [suicide] attack," Malik said adding that security for the Yatra will be reinforced.
TERROR HIT YATRIS AFTER 15 YEARS
|
- In July 2017, terrorist killed 8 Amarnath pilgrims and injured 19 after sparing the Yatris for 15 years
- It was clearly a Pak-sponsored attack as locals make most of their yearly earnings during the Yatra
- In 2002, terrorists had killed eight pilgrims, injured 30
|
"Hundred percent this was done on the behest of Pakistan and fidayeen attacks happen after Pakistan given signal," said the Governor.
Despite repeated assurances by Islamabad, attackers from the other side of the Line of Control have continued to target forces in the Valley.
In 2017, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists had opened fire on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims, killing 8 and injuring 19 in Anantnag.
K Vijay Kumar, advisor to the Governor, said security arrangements are foolproof. "We will take sufficient precautions. We will factor in what happened in Anantnag. We also look at the previous incident and this will also be part of overall planning." He refused to disclose more on the preparedness of the forces.
Kumar said claims were made pointing to involvement of Al Umar. But the government won't give it credibility before doing an analysis, he said. "There are a lot of people who want to bring the situation to normal. However, these kinds of elements coming from outside can change the temperature a bit, but we are resolute and determined."
— Zee Media Newsroom
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Amarnath Yatra")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}