Intelligence Bureau warns of threat to Amarnath yatra

published on June 12, 2014

In the first major fallout of the twin terror attacks on the Karachi airport, the Intelligence Bureau has cautioned that there could be a major terror strike on the Amarnath Yatra, something similar to the one witnessed across the border.

Sources said home minister Rajnath Singh, who chaired a high level meeting with top intelligence and security agencies on Monday, is extremely keen that the Amarnath Yatra too needs to be treated as a “Rashtriya Dharohar” (national asset) and thus should be accorded top priority in being provided a foolproof security cover.

The yatra that starts on June 28, subject to weather conditions, has always been a high-value target for terror outfits. In wake of the home minister’s intent and following the Karachi attacks, the intelligence agency has now swung into action sensitising the Srinagar-based Unified Command and all security agencies providing cover to the Yatra.

Following the intelligence inputs, sources added, a meeting of top security officials was held in Srinagar on Monday evening to once again review arrangements for the yatra.

Intelligence agencies have expressed apprehension that Tehreek-e-Taliban that is suspected to be behind the Karachi attacks has close links with the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, both of whom are active in the Kashmir Valley. It becomes even more imperative to provide a foolproof security cover as an estimated four lakh people could be attending the yatra this year.

Another reason why threat level for the Yatra has been raised is that intelligence agencies feel there could be a possible link between the Karachi attack and the visit of Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif for the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Source: http://www.asianage.com/india/intelligence-bureau-warns-threat-amarnath-yatra-876