SRINAGAR: Amarnath yatra was suspended for about an hour on Tuesday on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for security reasons following some inputs about the militant plan to target yatra convoy, official sources said.
They said following the inputs about militant plan to target yatra convoy in Mirbazar area on the highway, authorities stopped all vehicles, carrying pilgrims from both sides.
Vehicles carrying pilgrims, who had left Baltal base camp for Jammu this morning after having darshan at holy Cave, were stopped at Pantha Chowk and other places.
Similarly, vehicles coming from Jammu were halted at Qazigund, they said, adding that security forces and Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) searched entire area at Mirbazar. Later, some suspected object was found near the highway.
Later, yatra was resumed after getting clearance from the security agencies.
Record 2.86 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Armarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage from July 1. The yatra will conclude on August 15.
Interestingly, about 60 per cent of the pilgrims who had darshan so far had travelled from Jammu to Srinagar without any security cover. As per records only 40 per cent yatris traveled in convoys under security arrangements.
Civilian traffic remained suspended from 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs on the highway to allow free and safe movement of yatra convoy between Qazigund to Nasri.
However, authorities denied ban on the civilian traffic but said only traffic is being regulated to avoid traffic jam.
The situation on the highway remained entirely different as no civilian vehicle is allowed during 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs from both sides.
(AGENCIES)
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