Amarnath Yatris, tourists asked to 'immediately' leave Kashmir amid terror threats

Amid the intelligence inputs of terrorist attack threats in Jammu and Kashmir, authorities on Friday issued an advisory asking tourists and Amarnath Yatris to "immediately" curtail their stay in the Valley and return to their homes "as soon as possible". The advisory issued by Principal Secretary to Government Shaleen Kabra said that given the prevailing situation in Kashmir, it will be in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris to leave the Valley.

"Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the Valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible," the advisory said.

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The government's advisory has come hours after the Indian Army revealed that they have confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by the Pakistan Army are trying to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra. Addressing a joint presser with CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army said that they have recovered a landmine and a sniper rifle with Pakistan ordnance factory markings from the route of the pilgrimage.

Also Read | Air force, Army on high alert after mega troop deployment in Kashmir: Report

The revelation comes in the backdrop of massive troops buildup in Kashmir. After rushing 10,000 troops of paramilitary forces to Kashmir last, the central on Thursday moved over 280 companies of security forces, which makes more 28,000 troops, to the Valley. It has also pressed the Indian Air Force aircraft including the C-17 heavy lift plane into service.

The troops buildup in the Kashmir triggered speculations among locals that the central government may be planning to abrogate of Article 35A of the Constitution, which gaurantees special rights to the people of Kashmir. However, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik had on Tuesday cleared the air and said that there was no plan to scrap Article 35A.