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Terror threat: J&K govt urges tourists, pilgrims to return soon

The advisory comes in the wake of intelligence inputs of possible terror attacks

CRPF personnel carry their shoes as they wade through a water-logged street after heavy rain in Srinagar | Reuters

In the wake of intelligence inputs about possible terror attacks, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday issued a security advisory and directed tourists and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to cut short their stay in the Valley and immediately go back.

"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," the advisory, issued by the principal secretary (home) said.

The advisory came soon after the Army announced that the terrorists backed by the Pakistan Army were attempting to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra. Lt General K.J.S. Dhillon claimed that a landmine and sniper rifle were found on the route of the Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 1 and is scheduled to end on August 15.

“There were confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by Pakistan and its army are trying to disrupt Amarnath Yatra,” Dhillon said.

He also said the Army recently found a landmine with markings of the “Pakistan Ordnance Factory” and an M24 sniper rifle of US origin.

Reacting to the state government advisory, former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah tweeted: “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.”