Yatra may face LoC-hit fallout

New Delhi: The first fallout of Army’s action along the Line of Control destroying Pakistani posts could be the Amarnath Yatra starting later next month. The yatra, which was already being viewed as a major security challenge by the home ministry in view of the prevailing security scenario in the Valley, now faces an even higher threat perception in view of the Army’s strong offensive along the LoC.

The MHA swung into action on Tuesday reviewing the security arrangements for the yatra saying this would be done on a regular basis till it starts on June 29. Home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi chaired a high-level meeting with top security and intelligence officials.

What has made the task of providing a foolproof security cover for the Amarnath Yatra this year tougher for the forces is that it not the only faces threat from terror groups but also from the stone-pelters, sources said.

“In the past one had to be careful about the terror groups but this time intelligence inputs suggest that even stone-pelters, who are backed by the separatists, could target the yatra. And the Army’s action along the LoC has only increased the risk,” an official said.

The home ministry, sources said, was planning to deploy almost 30,000 security personnel to provide yatra cover, though on previous occasions the figure was anything betw-een 20,000-25,000 personnel. The state has already sought 279 companies, almost 28,000 personnel, of paramilitary fo-rces from the Centre. Local state police would also be us-ed for security arrangements.

In addition, there would be increased surveillance all along the route through choppers and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and proper security escorts for the convoys carrying pilgrims. Senior home ministry officials admitted that it would be a big challenge to deal with the “local elements” as it would require stringent surveillance on part of security forces.

“The fresh intelligence inp-uts that stone-pelters could target the yatra have added a new dimension to the security arrangements. Probably subversive elements thought that security forces would be busy dealing only with possible terror attacks and they would use stone pelters to disrupt the yatra,” a senior ministry official added.