Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 11: A day after the killing of 7 Amarnath yatris in a militant attack in Anantnag district of South Kashmir, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat today reviewed security situation in the Valley.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a massive manhunt against Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander, Abu Ismail who is thought to be mastermind behind the attack that left 7 yatris dead and over 11 injured.
Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat arrived in Srinagar this morning to review the security situation in Kashmir with security agencies and the administration and also called on Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and discussed the security situation with them.
General Rawat was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen JS Sandhu on the prevailing security situation in the Valley soon after his arrival. The Army chief chaired a security review meeting which was attended by the Chinar Corps Commander, Chief Secretary, BB Vyas and Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Dr SP Vaid and several other heads of the security agencies.
The Army chief told the review meeting that the security forces will counter the menace of militancy with greater resolve. He condemned the dastardly act of terror against innocent Amarnath pilgrims.
Army chief exhorted the Commanders and troops to keep up the pressure on the terrorists as had been witnessed in recent successful operations in the Valley. He directed for tough security measures for the smooth conduct of the yatra. He complimented the troops for the excellent operations along the Line of Control, wherein several infiltration attempts were foiled.
Earlier in the morning, the pilgrims except two critically injured Pushpa and Lalita who are undergoing treatment at SKISM Soura, and 7 dead bodies were airlifted to Srinagar from Anantnag wherefrom they were taken in a special Indian Air Force aircraft to Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Floral tributes by Chief Minister, Governor and senior security force officials was paid to the yatris before the bodies were dispatched to Ahmedabad.
In the meantime, police said that LeT commander Abu Ismail is mastermind of the attack and a massive hunt has been launched against him and his group. They have detained six persons in connection with the attack and they are being questioned.
In the meantime, the security forces were put on maximum alert after yesterday’s attack. The security of the Yatra has increased and the escort of the Yatra convoy has been doubled.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel