Last Updated on May 18, 2022 at 10:52 am
In a high level meeting held at Delhi on Tuesday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir following many targeted killings including Kashmiri Pandits.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned top priority is the hassle-free pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath Ji shrine. Few days earlier, Rahul Bhat, a government employee, was killed by terrorists inside his office in Budgam district. After Bhat’s killing Kashmiri Pandit community staged various protests at various parts of the valley demanding enhanced security. A day after the death of the Kashmiri Pandit, police constable Reyaz Ahmad Thokar was shot dead by terrorists at his residence in Pulwama district.
In the wake of recent killings, a major security challenge has come to fore for the government to ensure that the Amarnath Yatra goes hassle-free. Central government is going to deploy at least 12,000 paramilitary personnel as well as thousands of Jammu and Kashmir Police, reportedly.
Officials of J&K admin informed that every pilgrim will be handed over Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) card which will be given by UT administration. Shah directed that security forces and police to conduct coordinated counter-terrorism operations pro-actively in the Kashmir Valley to neutralize the terrorists so that they are not able to disturb the yatra. The Home Minister asked for an adequate number of oxygen cylinders, medical beds at an altitude of more than 6,000 feet and deployment of ambulances and helicopters to deal with any emergency medical situation. Current security situation in J&K especially the Valley in the wake of targeted killings, situation along the International Border and all kind of arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage including security for the yatris came up for high level review in the meetings. Besides the Amarnath pilgrimage, the meetings also reviewed the security arrangement especially in the wake of several targeted killings, including of Kashmiri Pandits, in Kashmir.
