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| Vaishno Devi Shrine security beefed up | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 12: Following intelligence inputs that the highly reverred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi was on terror radar, Governor N N Vohra today chaired a meeting of state security heads to find out ways for making a "foolproof" security bandobast around the holy place.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khuda and additional DGP (CID) K Rajendra, according to official sources.The security of the Vaishno Devi cave shrine would be strengthened as it faced a threat of terror attack, the sources added. Sources said the governor asked the state police head to make sure that all possible steps were taken for the safety of the holy place and the pilgrims visiting there.
Army guards the mountainous area around the shrine, while the 13-km track is jointly guarded by police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The fresh intelligence inputs suggested that terrorists might strike at the shrine or pilgrims visiting the shrine. "The security situation was reviewed and it was decided to strengthen it because of the navratras beginning March 16," the sources added.
During navratras, the pilgrim is very heavy, sometimes touching over 40,000 a day. The shrine attracts more than 7.5 million pilgrims from across India and also from abroad. It has been under the threat
of terrorist strike since 1980s.
In 2003, terrorists had lobbed a grenade at Banganga, the starting point of the pilgrimage, two km ahead of Katra. Seven pilgrims were killed and more than 20 were injured.
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