Militants could target Amarnath Yatra, confirms Army

The holy Amarnath Yatra is on the target of militants, a top Army officer confirmed on Saturday.

“We are aware that militants are trying to cross the border to create problems during Amarnath Yatra,” said Lt General KH Singh, General Officer Commanding (GoC), 16 Corps.

Singh, however, assured that the security forces are prepared to deal with any threat.

“Let me assure you that their (militants) intentions of infiltration or trying to create trouble will be dealt with,” he said.

The remarks amid inputs that militants from across the border could target the Amarnath Yatra which got underway earlier this week.

Security has already been stepped up for the pilgrimage amid threats.

Also this week, security forces heightened alert after 11 young Kashmiri terrorists donning Army fatigues and holding firearms, posted their photographs on social networking site Facebook.

The picture, which remained on ‘Facebook’ for two days, showed 11 terrorists, who recently joined the banned Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit.

Those in the photograph include ex-constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police Naseer, who ran away with two AK-47 rifles while on guard duty with Altaf Bukhari, a minister in the Mufti Sayeed-headed PDP-BJP government, and Burhan Wani, a resident of Tral, who has emerged as the young face of Hizbul Mujahideen in the Valley.

Meanwhile, commenting on reports that the Islamic State is trying to gain foothold in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Lt Gen Singh said, “As per our inputs, ISIS has not yet taken off on the other side in PoK.”

However, they are indeed trying to gain a foothold there, he added.