SRINAGAR, INDIA, August 2, 2019 (News 18): Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday curtailed the Amarnath Yatra and asked pilgrims to leave the state immediately after the Army revealed intelligence inputs confirming the possibility of a terror attack. The announcement came hours after the Army said it had information that Pakistan was planning to disrupt 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,” the order issued by the state Home Department read.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh directed the Pathankot district administration to make all arrangements to ensure the safe return of pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the advisory to cut short their stay. An official spokesperson said Singh had directed the DC to coordinate the operations for the safety of the pilgrims once they cross the border into Punjab. He has also asked all concerned departments to cooperate with the district administration in this regard. The Amarnath Yatra, which started on July 1 and would have ended on August 15, was earlier suspended till August 4 in view of inclement weather forecast in the Valley. A record number of 350 thousand devotees have performed the annual pilgrimage so far — this is 30% more than last year.
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