After Sunday’s deadly terror attack on a bus in Reasi, security forces are on high alert while preparing for the Amarnath Yatra, set to commence on June 29.
Although adequate security measures are put in place every year for Yatra-related arrangements, the recent attack in which nine passengers died after terrorists fired at a bus in Jammu’s Reasi has renewed fears of similar acts.
In evolving warfare tactics, terrorists surprised security forces when in May 2022, they used a sticky bomb on a moving bus of pilgrims bound for Vaishno Devi, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries in J&K’s Katra.
Cavalcades of Amarnath pilgrims travel through multiple districts along the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44, which is flanked by forests. Security forces, including the CRPF, J&K Police, and Army, maintain area dominance along the highway and other sensitive areas.
Review meetings on the security situation in different areas of both Kashmir and Jammu divisions were already underway before the attack.
On June 8, a joint security review meeting was chaired by White Knight Corps GOC Lt General Navin Sachdeva in Jammu to assess security arrangements for the Amarnath pilgrimage.
The meeting was attended by ADGP Anand Jain, Inspector General of CRPF, DIG BSF, and officers from Central and intelligence agencies operating in J&K.
On June 9, Central Kashmir DIG Rajiv Pandey and senior CRPF officials visited the Amarnath Yatra base camp at Baltal and inspected the Yatra track from Domail to the holy cave.
Lt Gen Sachdeva highlighted the importance of heightened security measures: "The safety and security of the pilgrims are our top priority. We are committed to ensuring a peaceful pilgrimage."
Jammu and Kashmir is already grappling with an unemployment crisis, with a sizeable population relying on tourism. These attacks not only threaten tourists but might also deliver a significant blow to the local economy.
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