news details |
|
|
| Safety of pilgrims a challenge for the coalition Government | | | The ensuing Annual Amarnath Yatra is a major challenge not only for the paramilitary forces deployed within the valley and to the troops guarding the LoC and the IB but it poses a bigger challenge for the coalition Government. In fact the troops have been asked to intensify round the clock patrolling after intelligence inputs have revealed that Pakistani forces have brought over 200 militants on the launching pads across the LoC in order to push them into Kashmir to create disturbances during the annual yatra, which is to start from June 28 and conclude on August 7. Already since the commencement of the yatra schedule Pakistan has made over 20 ingress bids and all these bids were foiled by alert India troops in which over 20 infiltrators were killed. The purpose of the ingress bids was to push groups of militants into the Kashmir valley and escalate incidents of violence which could wreck the pilgrimage. And neither Pakistan nor militants nor separatists in the valley are in know of the importance of the pilgrim tourist traffic after the flow of regular excursionists to the valley has dropped significantly.
The state Government is highly concerned about the safety of pilgrims and in this connection the coalition Government has requested the central for the deployment of 24,000 additional security personnel for ensuring safety of the pilgrims. And so far the centre has agreed to spare 22000 personnel for Amarnath duty. The Army have foiled an infiltration attempt in the Keran sector in Kupwara, killing six militants. Pakistan is trying hard to push militants into Kashmir to replenish the depleting cadres in Kashmir's hinterland where the Centre has halted anti-militancy operations for Ramazan. There have been at least seven infiltration bids in Kupwara district since May 17 when the Union Government announced it was halting anti-militancy operations. Defence sources said a large group of militants was intercepted by the Army at Iddori near Ustad post in the Keran sector, close to the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS). "When challenged, the militants opened fire, which was retaliated, triggering a fierce gunfight. The gunfight ended after nearly eight hours. Six militants were killed."
A large cache of arms and ammunition were found at the encounter site. Sources claimed the slain militant appeared to be foreign nationals. Accordingly the Road Opening programme from Jammu, the actual to Srinagar, has been entrusted to the Army and the paramilitary forces. Additional security camps were being established on 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar highway. And as far as security ring around the mountain shrine is concerned it has been placed on the shoulders of the Army And it is going to be a challenge for those politicians who supported and demanded unilateral ceasefire which has aggravated the fluid security scenario. Hence the state Government has demanded additional 24,000 personnel and so far the centre has agreed to deploy 22000 personnel and in case of emergency more companies will be sent to Kashmir. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
