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| Extending ceasefire can turn Amarnath pilgrims into cannon fodder' | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, June 10: The Government of India (GoI) mulling to extend the prevailing ceasefire in Kashmir till Amarnath Yatra ends has evoked concern as many people believe that it would provide terrorists a chance to attack the pilgrims and they can become sitting ducks.
Sources told Early Times that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party during the recent visit of union Home Minister Rajnath Singh requested him to extend the truce against the terrorists. "Despite BJP being a coalition partner in J&K none of the state BJP leaders have reportedly opposed to the idea of extending the ceasefire in the Valley," sources claimed.
They said soon after Singh left Kashmir, the PDP leaders have started creating a notion that ceasefire has been extended and Centre has agreed to carry forward the suspension of operations against militants. "Till now Government of India has not taken any decision but the Kashmir centric leaders are trying to build pressure over New Delhi to extend the truce," sources added.
An analyst said, "If GoI goes ahead with the proposal which has been put up by the J&K government then it would be making a big compromise with the safety and security of the Amarnath pilgrims."
Recalling the attack on Amarnath pilgrims carried out by the terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba in 2017 he said, "Eight pilgrims were killed when the terrorists attacked their bus in south Kashmir. How can GoI forget it?" he asked.
He said that since the day security forces have been asked to suspend the operations against terrorists in the Valley they have regrouped and have lobbed multiple grenades across Kashmir. "Lakhs of pilgrims are expected to visit the Valley in coming days to pay obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine nestled in Himalayas what's the guarantee that terrorists won't attack the pilgrims with the grenades?" the analyst said.
A security expert said, "Kashmir centric parties are playing politics over the ceasefire announced by the GoI. They just want to appease the separatists and the people sitting across the Line of Control. They believe by doing so they can win the next elections. They are least bothered about the security of the Amarnath pilgrims who can become the soft targets for the terrorists."
He said that Pakistan is trying to push more and more infiltrators into the Valley ahead of the annual pilgrimage commences. On Sunday only soldiers killed six infiltrators near the Line of Control in Kupwara district. During the past one month nearly 20 infiltrators have been killed. "This shows the intentions of our neighboring country and the terrorists sponsored by it. The GoI needs to bear in mind that it cannot turn Amarnath pilgrims into cannon fodder by extending the ceasefire," the expert added. |
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