Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will visit holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir Himalayas and review on spot security and other arrangements for the pilgrims on July 5. They will review security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting with Governor NN Vohra, his Advisors, top brass of security agencies and civil administration at Srinagar tomorrow.
This will be Rajnath’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after imposition of Governor’s rule in the State on June 19 following withdrawal of support by the BJP to Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP Government and second in less than a month. He had visited J&K for two days on June 7 and 8. This time, however, the Home Minister will confine his visit to Kashmir only.
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Official sources told the Excelsior that soon after landing in Srinagar tomorrow, Rajnath joined by Doval will meet Governor NN Vohra and his Advisors-BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ganai to get a brief on security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley. Later, he is scheduled to meet top brass of all security and Intelligence agencies, operating in Jammu and Kashmir and civil administration for security review.
“A special review will be held for Amarnath Yatra security arrangements,” sources said, adding that top officers will brief the Home Minister on the security measures in place for the yatris right from Lakhanpur to holy cave shrine in Anantnag district.
All-time high additional companies of para-military forces have been given by the Union Home Ministry to the State Government this time for security of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims in view of last year’s attack on a yatri bus in which eight pilgrims were killed and several others injured.
On July 5, Rajnath will himself visit the cave shrine to pay obeisance to natural Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva and review security measures on spot. Besides, he will also take review of other arrangements made for the pilgrims this year.
Governor NN Vohra, who also happens to be the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), will brief the Union Home Minister on arrangements made for the pilgrims at base camp of Jammu, forward base camps of Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Baltal, twin tracks and the cave shrine.
Annual pilgrimage to cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji was scheduled to start on June 28 but it was delayed by a couple of days due to heavy Monsoon rains. The yatra has now gained momentum. The 60-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 26 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Sources said the militancy-related situation including progress of ‘Operation All Out’ in the Kashmir Valley will also be reviewed by the Union Home Minister and the National Security Advisor. After Ramzan ceasefire ended last month, security forces have stepped-up operations against the militants in the Valley and killed number of them including commanders of some outfits.
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