2,400 additional BSF troops deployed in Amarnath yatra route

[Hindustani78]

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 - 21:51
2,400 additional BSF troops deployed in Amarnath yatra route | Zee News

New Delhi: As many as 2,400 additional personnel of BSF have been deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure security during the Amarnath yatra beginning on Thursday.

The BSF troops have been deployed en route the cave shrine along with personnel of other paramilitary forces and state police forces, a senior officer said.

Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) DK Pathak is currently visiting Jammu and Kashmir to take stock of the deployment of forces.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days beginning tomorrow during which he will offer prayers at the Amarnath cave shrine.

Singh will take part in a security review meeting in Srinagar tomorrow along with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, top civil, police, paramilitary and army officers.

The recent incidents of killings in Sopore districts and attacks on telecom companies and security arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage are expected to come up for discussion in the meeting, officials said.

On Thursday, the Home Minister will visit the holy cave shrine Amarnath where he will offer prayers and conduct a physical review of the steps being taken for the safety of the pilgrims.

Singh will be among the first batch of pilgrims to offer prayer at Amarnath as the two-month long pilgrimage to the cave shrine will begin on Thursday.

Home Secretary L C Goyal yesterday visited the Panjtarni halting station on Pahalgam-Amarnath route to take stock of arrangements for the 59-day annual yatra.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
01-July, 2015 19:11 IST
Shri Rajnath Singh reviews security situation in Srinagar

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, today reviewed the security situation in the state in general and Amarnath Yatra in particular at a meeting in Srinagar. Representatives of the State Administration and Police Department besides Security Agencies and Central Armed Police Forces were present.

Shri Rajnath Singh directed the officials for sharing of inputs and coordinate with each other for better security arrangements. He took stock of the security arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra and various facilities including food, medicines and telecom connectivity along the route and pilgrim camps.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh was present during the meeting.

The Union Home Minister will visit the Amarnath cave shrine tomorrow.

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The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chairing a meeting to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, at Srinagar on July 01, 2015. The Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh is also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

A jawan stands guard overlooking a highway as the first batch of pilgrims leave for Amarnath Yatra from Jammu on Wednesday.

Home Minister will be part of first batch of pilgrims.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Kashmir for a two-day visit on Wednesday and reviewed the security scenario a day ahead of the 59th annual Amarnath Yatra.

Mr. Singh himself will be part of the first batch of pilgrims that will set off for the Amarnath cave on Thursday.

On his arrival here, Mr. Singh met Governor N.N. Vohra.

The first batch of pilgrims was flagged off from the Jammu base camp on Wednesday and will start off from Kashmir on Thursday.

A senior police official told The Hindu that 98 companies of Central security forces and 24 companies of the J&K police had been deployed.

According to officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, more than two lakh pilgrims have so far registered for this year’s yatra.

 

[Hindustani78]

Sadhus eat meals from a community kitchen as they wait to register for the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in Jammu on Thursday. PTI Photo

Security personnel keep vigil from the moutains near the holy Amarnath shrine, Baltal on Thursday. PTI Photo

A security jawan patrols as pilgrims move towards holy cave shrine of Amarnath through mountain trails in Baltal on Thursday. PTI Photo

 

[Hindustani78]

Militants could target Amarnath Yatra, confirms Army | Zee News
Last Updated: Saturday, July 4, 2015 - 09:20

Zee Media Bureau

Srinagar: The holy Amarnath Yatra is on the target of militants, a top Army officer confirmed on Saturday.


“We are aware that militants are trying to cross the border to create problems during Amarnath Yatra,” said Lt General KH Singh, General Officer Commanding (GoC), 16 Corps.

Singh, however, assured that the security forces are prepared to deal with any threat.

“Let me assure you that their (militants) intentions of infiltration or trying to create trouble will be dealt with,” he said.

The remarks amid inputs that militants from across the border could target the Amarnath Yatra which got underway earlier this week.

Security has already been stepped up for the pilgrimage amid threats.

Also this week, security forces heightened alert after 11 young Kashmiri terrorists donning Army fatigues and holding firearms, posted their photographs on social networking site Facebook.

The picture, which remained on 'Facebook' for two days, showed 11 terrorists, who recently joined the banned Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit.

Those in the photograph include ex-constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police Naseer, who ran away with two AK-47 rifles while on guard duty with Altaf Bukhari, a minister in the Mufti Sayeed-headed PDP-BJP government, and Burhan Wani, a resident of Tral, who has emerged as the young face of Hizbul Mujahideen in the Valley.

Meanwhile, commenting on reports that the Islamic State is trying to gain foothold in the Azad Kashmir, Lt Gen Singh said, “As per our inputs, ISIS has not yet taken off on the other side in Azad Kashmir.”

However, they are indeed trying to gain a foothold there, he added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
10-July, 2017 22:56 IST
PM condemns the attack on Amarnath Yatris in J&K; speaks to J&K Governor and Chief Minister and assures all possible assistance


The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the attack on Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister has also spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Shri NN Vohra and Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required.

"India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate.

My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured.

Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone.

I have spoken to the Governor and Chief Minister of J&K and assured all possible assistance required", the Prime Minister said.

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The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir addressing a press conference, after their two-day visit to J&K in the wake of the terror attack on Amarnath Yatries, in Srinagar on July 12, 2017.

The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir addressing a press conference, after their two-day visit to J&K in the wake of the terror attack on Amarnath Yatries, in Srinagar on July 12, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
16-July, 2017 20:07 IST
PM expresses pain over the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris in a bus accident; announces ex-gratia relief for the victims of the accident


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has expressed pain over the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in Jammu & Kashmir.

“Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased.

I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon.”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs for next of kin of those killed and Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured, in the bus accident.

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Ministry of Home Affairs
16-July, 2017 18:42 IST
Shri Rajnath Singh condoles Amarnath Yatra bus accident victims

16 killed, 29 injured as bus rolled down near Ramban

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in a bus accident carrying Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir. “My heart goes out to the families of Amarnath Yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh spoke to J&K Chief Minister Ms. Mehbooba Mufti regarding the unfortunate accident of the bus near Ramban. She apprised the Union Home Minister of the ongoing rescue operations. Shri Rajnath Singh also had a telephonic conversation with the J&K Governor Shri NN Vohra who has reached the accident site. He apprised the Union Home Minister of the situation.

The bus carrying 45 pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar rolled down a mountain at Nachala, Under Police Station Ramsu at Banihal, Ramban. As confirmed by SSP Ramban, in this accident 16 pilgrims died and 29 got injured. 18 injured have been airlifted to Government Medical College & Hospital, Jammu by chopper, the remaining 11 with minor injuries left for Srinagar by road. Helpline numbers to enquire about Amarnath Yatris travelling in the bus that met with accident in Ramban, J&K. 0191-2560401 & 0191-2542000.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
25-July, 2017 17:15 IST
Threat of attack during pilgrimage in J&K

All possible arrangements are being made by the State Government of Jammu and Kashmir duly supported by the Central Government by deploying additional security forces to strengthen the security of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra. However, from 1990 to 2017 (till date), 36 terrorist attacks have been reported on Shri Amarnathji Yatris in which 53 Yatris were killed and 167 Yatris were injured.

The duration and schedule of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra is based on the decision taken by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board every year. The duration of the Yatra is limited to one side by the extent of snow fall in the preceding winter and on the other side by the date on which Raksha Bandan falls, on which date the Yatra is traditionally concluded. Therefore, the duration of the Yatra varies from year to year. In 2017, the Yatra commenced on 29th June and will culminate on Raksha Bandan which falls on 7th August. As such, Yatra 2017 is of 40 days. However, in 2016, the Yatra commenced on 2nd July and concluded on day of Raksha Bandan which fell on 18th August and therefore, the Yatra was of 48 days.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply to question by Shri Subhash Patel and Shri Ajay Misra Teni in the Lok Sabha today.

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