Anantnag suicide attack: Fresh security plan on cards for Amarnath Pilgrimage | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, June 14 (KNO) : In wake of recent fidayeen attack on the CRPF patrolling party at K P Road at Anantnag that left five CRPF men dead and a police officer seriously injured, the Governor S P Malik is all set to convene a fresh security review meeting to finalise the security preparedness plan for the upcoming annual pilgrimage commencing from July 1. Top officials revealed to KNO that there is every likelihood that more additional companies of forces would be called in to strengthen the security layer for the smooth pilgrimage of Amarnath Yatra. The pilgrimage will start from July 1 from two crucial routes—Chandanwari in Pahalgam area of Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir. Officials told KNO that in addition to the existing 300 companies of forces that were retained after the successful conduct of polls, more additional forces are likely to arrive in Kashmir next week. “Governor is all set to chair an important meeting next week any time to take stock of the security plan to be re-framed for the Amarnath pilgrimage in the wake of recent militant strike that left five CRPF men dead and a police officer critically injured while as the suicide attacker was also killed,” a senior officer told KNO wishing not to be named. He said that the meeting will take place at Rajbhavan or SKICC where all the advisors, top officers of police and the civil administration are expected to take part. Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar on Thursday had said that all things including previous and fresh attacks by militants will be kept in mind while framing the security plan for the Amarnath Yatra. Sources told KNO that more focus will remain on guarding the routes leading to the cave shrine of Amarnath will be guarded with multi-layer cover of Road Opening Parties (ROPs) while as army will remain at the beck-and call of the government for meeting any exigencies. In 2017, militants had targeted a pilgrim bus at South Kashmir’s Anantnag district that left nine pilgrims dead and dozens injured. “This time, there will be a strict security plan. There will be no room for any sort of laxity any security lapse,” the official revealed.(KNO)