NEW DELHI: Security agencies have sounded a high alert in Jammu and Kashmir after receiving specific intelligence inputs about terrorists planning an attack on Amarnath yatris. The agencies have received specific inputs about movement of terrorists close to the Amarnath yatra route.
According to sources, all three big terror groups backed by Pakistan — Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen — are planning to attack the yatra.
The 60-day yatra to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine of Amarnath commenced on June 28. This year, around 2.5 lakh pilgrims are undertaking the yatra. Intelligence agencies have also issued a warning of a possible fidayeen attack in the “near future”, possibly around Independence Day, August 15. The threat of fidayeen, or suicide, the attack came to the notice of security personnel through intercepted conversations of two terrorists on two consecutive days — July 17 and 18.
Senior officials in the security agencies confirmed the development but said the forces are on their toes to ensure that terrorists do not succeed. The developments come at a time when the intelligence agencies have already warned of possible fidayeen attacks led by Ansar Gazwat ul Hind head Zakir Musa aka Zakir Rashid Bhatt on police personnel deployed in not just Kashmir but also in Punjab.
According to intelligence inputs, some of the most wanted militants of Kashmir have been seen loitering close to the yatra route.
LeT’s commander Aijaz alias Abu Huraira, who is categorised as A++ terrorist, was seen in Gulabbagh, Ohatterhama and Zakoora areas of J&K along with some of his aides.
Another key LeT terrorist Mohd Saleem Parray was seen in Khusarpora Hajin. Parray, who’s from Hajin, joined militancy in 2017, but has become one of the most identified faces of terror in the valley. Hizbul militants who were seen close to the yatra route earlier this week are Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo, Mohd Abbas Sheikh and Latif Ahmad Dar.
Naikoo, an A++ category militant and chief commander of HM, was seen in Padgampora area of Awantipora.
Sheikh, an A+ category militant, was reported in Ganjipora and Gassipora Kulgam. Dar, A category militant was noticed in Pinglana area of Kakapora. JeM’s Sameer Ahmad Dar and Adil Ahmad Dar were noticed in Pinglana area of Kakapora.
SPECIFIC INPUTS
Intelligence agencies have received specific inputs about movement of terrorists close to the Amarnath yatra route. The threat of fidayeen, or suicide, attack around Independence Day came to notice of security personnel through intercepted conversations of two terrorists on two consecutive days — July 17 and 18.