Amarnath Yatra: After a two year hiatus, the Amarnath Yatra is all set to start today.
New Delhi:
After a two-year hiatus, the Amarnath Yatra is all set to start today. In order to keep the 43-day yatra incident free, in addition to deploying a maximum number of troops, aggressive counter-terror operations are also being conducted by security forces on the ground.
Due to the offensive approach of the security services, the violence by terrorists has decreased and the action of the troops has increased. In June of this year, as many as 30 terrorists – the highest number this year – were eliminated.
Interior Ministry records show that in the first six months of the year, 121 terrorists were killed by security forces, including 34 of foreign origin and 87 local residents.
“A security network has been set up for the protection of tourists and yatris and every jawan involved in the security set of this network has received proper de-induction training,” a senior police officer told DailyExpertNews.
The de-induction course was for about two weeks to sensitize jawans to the latest threat perceptions – from sticky bombs to improvised electronic devices, grenade throwing and drone strikes.
“There have been district reviews and special attention has been paid to four districts of South Kashmir – Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag,” the officer said.
Security forces on the ground have been informed of the use of “sticky bomb” by TRF, another terror group whose chatter has been intercepted.
According to the data, there are still 144 terrorists active in the Valley, 82 of whom are foreign terrorists and 62 local residents.
“We also have information on 69 local boys who are going to various terror organizations this year,” a senior officer revealed.
The tightened security measures also come on the background of a recent increase in the killing of targets, including those of workers belonging to the minority community.
In addition to the deployment, drone surveillance and RFID (radio frequency identification) chips will also be part of the three-tier security arrangements for the pilgrims.
“As many as 300 plus companies from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), apart from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the military, have been deployed and are providing three levels of security,” said one officer.
