Latest news with #AmarnathYatra
News18
3 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Terror Threat To Amarnath Yatra: Intel Agencies Warn Of TRF-Led Attack, Security Review On
Security forces have been strategically deployed along the route to ensure rapid response capabilities across all key points. Indian intelligence agencies issued an alert last week warning of a potential terror attack being planned during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Sources confirm that the intelligence input has been shared with all local police units and central security forces. A senior official told News18 that the alert specifically names The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the group behind the recent Pahalgam attack, as planning an attack on the Yatra. Security forces have been strategically deployed along the route to ensure rapid response capabilities across all key points. However, there is growing concern that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack remain at large and have not yet been neutralised. They can be hiding in Pir Panjal Jungle planning another attack. Notably, Pahalgam is a critical route for pilgrims heading to the holy cave and every day 15,000 people will use this route and 15,000 will use Baltal route to reach Holy Cave. The major concern is not only with Pahalgam route but also with Baltal route which is most preferred route for pilgrims. Officials aware of the input said that it is not the only alert raised by central agencies. In light of the threat, senior government officials are closely monitoring the situation. This week, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and the Director General of the CRPF visited Jammu and Kashmir to assess Yatra security preparations. Additionally, top-level officials from the Intelligence Bureau have already conducted reviews on the ground. Due to the heightened threat, the area has been declared a no-fly zone, and helicopter services for pilgrims have been suspended this year. The entire region has been divided into smaller security zones further divided into pockets with multiple agencies deployed for comprehensive protection. 'It is likely that security concerns may lead to cancellations by many pilgrims, particularly those who registered before the Pahalgam attack," a senior government official told News18. 'The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is monitoring the situation and tracking the number of expected cancellations. Also, registered persons may be contacted for reconfirmation." All pilgrims planning to visit the Holy Shrine during this Yatra have been advised to take note of no helicopter services. Pilgrims may reach the Holy Cave Shrine on foot or avail the services of ponies and palkis throughout the Yatra. First Published: June 20, 2025, 11:10 IST
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
OGW detected in face recognition system in Anantnag, nabbed
Ahead of the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Facial Recognition System (FRS) deployed by Anantnag district police at Langanbal Naka detected an over ground worker (OGW) on Thursday. Police said that the individual, a resident of Seer Hamdan (police station Mattan jurisdiction) with a prior FIR registered in 2005, was working as a carpenter. He was subsequently handed over to the Pahalgam police station for further legal action, they added. 'This swift interception highlights the impact of technology-driven policing and is to send a clear deterrent message to miscreants as SANJY-2025 approaches,' Police spokesman said, adding that Anantnag district police has already enhanced electronic surveillance along all yatra corridors to ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage experience. 'Anyone attempting to disrupt public order—or threaten pilgrims' safety—will be swiftly identified and dealt with under law.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Jammu: Omar reviews delivery of essential services
Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at the civil secretariat here to review the delivery of essential services and supplies and the steps taken by the administration during the current summer season in Jammu division. During the meeting, Jammu divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar briefed the CM and gave presentation on the functioning of different departments and their action plan for summer preparedness. It was informed that JPDCL has maintained sufficient buffer stock of transformers and also devised time-slots for power curtailment to prevent overload on grid stations. The functioning of Jal Shakti and Jammu municipal corporation was also discussed with regard to adequate supply of water tankers, water sprinklers, anti smog guns and proper maintenance of water coolers to provide relief to the citizens. Taking cognisance of the water scarcity issues in some newly populated areas, the CM directed Jammu MC commissioner and Jal Shakti department to provide relief to the residents immediately. He further directed for expediting the pace of work on water supply schemes nearing completion to alleviate such issues. The CM further reviewed the forest fire response mechanism and readiness of fire & emergency services to tackle any such situation. The CM was also apprised of preparedness of irrigation and flood control with regard to de-silting of irrigation canals and flood mitigation plan. Omar also took stock of the broad arrangements put in place for forthcoming Muharram and Amarnath Yatra. The divisional commissioner apprised the CM about the routes decided for Muharram along with other elaborate arrangements pertaining to power, water supply, health and other essential services for the people participating in Muharram processions across the division. He also apprised the CM on the ongoing preparations for Amarnath Yatra with detailed arrangements right from Lakhanpur- the gateway to Jammu Kashmir- to Lambar in Banihal, Ramban.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Security bolstered at key Amarnath Yatra points
New Delhi Security forces, along with the Jammu and Kashmir police, have already sealed and secured the base camps, Yatri Niwas, and the starting points of the Amarnath Yatra, officials said, adding that due to the heightened alert following the Pahalgam attack, the locations were secured almost three weeks before the start of the Yatra, unlike previous years when the camps and locations were sealed only a week in advance. The Yatra from July 3 to August 9 is being held amid a high alert following Operation Sindoor and heightened security preparations in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack two months ago. The duration of the Yatra this year is shorter, 38 days in comparison to last year's 52. In a bid to bolster security, the Union home ministry has sanctioned an additional 581 companies of paramilitary forces for the pilgrimage, which is the highest to date. Last year, the number was around 510. The 581 companies include all the central armed police forces. 'On Wednesday, union home secretary Govind Mohan chaired a meeting with senior officers from all forces in Srinagar. All top officials of the army, paramilitary forces, J&K police, and administration were present in the meeting. It was decided that paramilitary forces and police will remain on guard even at night,' one official, who asked not to be named, said. During the weekend, CRPF's top officials, including DG GP Singh were in Jammu and Kashmir to review the arrangements. The CRPF is the nodal force for all paramilitary forces involved in the security arrangements. A CRPF statement said that a high-level meeting was held in Srinagar by the CRPF, after which its top officials visited the cave, base camp, and other strategic locations along the pilgrimage route. Additionally, forces have also stepped up surveillance and secured the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu from where the pilgrims will start their journey to Kashmir via the National Highway. Last week, top Jammu and Kashmir police officials, including police chief Nalin Prabhat also visited the base camp, from where the first batch of pilgrims will move towards Kashmir on July 2. The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board on June 17 announced that vide a government order, all routes of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra—including both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes— have been declared as a 'No Flying Zone' from July 1 to August 10, 2025, and chopper services would not be available for pilgrims.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kashmir tourism likely to rebound to pre-Pahalgam levels by year's end: Minister
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, speaking on Thursday (June 19, 2025), said that there were signs that tourism to Kashmir, which saw a dip after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, would likely return to normal by the year's end. 'The way tourism has recovered in J&K over the last 1.5 months, we will be able to achieve pre-Pahalgam status by December,' Mr. Shekhawat said. Appealing to people to join the Amarnath Yatra, starting from July 3, Mr. Shekhawat said, 'Kashmir is safe, and tourists should visit the valley. I appeal to the 140-crore people of India to try and see Kashmir's heritage and its historical grandeur and divinity, along with its natural beauty.' In a post on X, the Union Minister said he visited the majestic Martand Temple, 'which is a profound reflection of the glory of Kashmir's civilisational past'. 'Built by the legendary King Lalitaditya, this grand temple dedicated to Surya was one of the earliest and most magnificent sun temples in India,' Mr. Shekhawat said. 'If it looks this awe-inspiring in its weathered form, one can imagine its grandeur of yore given the temple's scale, sculptural richness, and strategic location atop a plateau overlooking the valley,' he added. Cultural glory About the Avanti Swami temple in the Awantipora area of the Pulwama district, the Union Minister said he had an enchanted morning at the temple complex. 'These stones that are remains of the mighty temples once built by King Avantivarman in what was once his capital tell tales of the cultural glory of that era,' he added. The Union Minister also met J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. An official said the duo 'discussed strategic measures for strengthening the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir.' The one-on-one meeting focused on a broad range of initiatives aimed at boosting tourism infrastructure, promoting heritage and cultural sites, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities, the official said. Both the leaders underscored the significance of tourism as a key driver of economic growth and cultural exchange in the region. Mr. Abdullah, the spokesman, expressed appreciation for the Centre's continued support and reiterated the Government of Jammu and Kashmir's resolve to revive and reimagine the tourism sector to unlock its full potential for inclusive development.
