Amit Shah likely to visit J-K amid intelligence input of terror threats

Amid the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit the state, reports NDTV. According to the report, Shah may visit the state after the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament that concludes on August 7. He is expected to visit Jammu first and then the Kashmir Valley to access the situation in view of the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats.

The state government has issued an advisory which reads: "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."

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Meanwhile, the state administration has issued advisory for officers in Kargil district. According to the order, no officer shall keep his/her mobile on switched off mode.

 “All district officers, sub-divisional magistrates, tehsildars and other sectoral officers are hereby directed not to leave their respective stations under any circumstances without prior approval of the district magistrate/deputy commissioner, Kargil. No officer shall keep his/her mobile on switched off mode,” the notice read.

Earlier, the Indian Air Force (IAF) flew 326 tourists out of Srinagar after the state administration's advisory to pilgrims and visitors. IAF carried out two sorties from Srinagar during the day, they said.

There were 11,301 tourists when the advisory was issued and only 1,652 of them remained on Saturday. Police asked all hotels in Srinagar not to check in any fresh guests and ensure that the hotels are empty by Sunday morning.

Tourists having an air ticket of a later date have been asked to approach the airport Sunday morning for rescheduling their departure. Tourists and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims started leaving the Kashmir Valley on Saturday following the state government's advisory, even as Governor S P Malik said there is no need to panic.

Amid rumours of plans to repeal Articles 370 and 35A, which allow Jammu a special status and privileges, the governor said in a statement that the state has no knowledge of any changes to constitutional provisions.

"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," said the advisory by Principal Secretary (Home).

The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party reacted strongly to the security advisory. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the directive would do nothing to dampen the sense of fear that is prevailing in the Valley.

"Although this unprecedented order would seem to suggest a genuine fear of a massive terror strike directed at Amarnath ji yatris or/and tourists this will do nothing to dampen the sense of fear & foreboding that prevails in the valley at the moment," Abdullah said in a series of tweets.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the Centre had resorted to "military might" and techniques like "psychological warfare" in the state. "First the avalanche of private orders about stocking up supplies that somehow made their way into the public domain. And now news like this will create panic & distress," Mufti tweeted.

"So far, GOI's resorted to military might & psychological warfare like techniques vis a vis J&K. Neither will work," she added.

Former IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal asked if the administration was going to issue a separate advisory for the locals of Kashmir.