Security forces on high alert in J&K ahead of Amarnath Yatra

As the Amarnath Yatra is set to commence on Thursday, security agencies are on high alert, keeping a close watch on the movement of fleeing Pakistani terrorists linked to the Pahalgam terror attack and those hiding in the upper reaches of Udhampur, as they continue to pose a serious threat.

- SP SHARMA

The group of terrorists that killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, at Pahalgam in the Anantnag district after ascertaining their religion on 22 April and also the three other Pakistani terrorists who escaped the encounter at Basantgarh in Udhampur on 26 June are still at large. The up and down convoys carrying the pilgrims will pass through the Udhampur and Anantnag districts from 2 July to 9 August.

The security forces are not leaving anything to chance as attacks by the hiding terrorists cannot be ruled out.

Pahalgam is the ancient pilgrimage route from where more than 15,000 pilgrims proceed towards the mountain cave shrine daily.