LG directs intensified anti-terror operations, tightened security for Amarnath Yatra

Chairs high-level security review meeting; calls for strengthening flood protection measures

Jammu Tawi, Jul 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday directed officials to step up anti-terror operations and ensure safety of all Amarnath pilgrims.

LG Sinha chaired a high-level security review meeting with senior officials from the Army, J&K Police, Civil Administration, CAPFs, and key security agencies. He directed officials to remain highly vigilant, step-up intelligence-led anti-terror operations and proactively neutralize emerging security threats.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; S.J.M.Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Lt Gen Balbir Singh, GOC 15 Corps; Lt Gen P K Mishra, GOC 16 Corps; Chanderkar Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home; Pankaj Thakur, Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor and CEO SASB; Nitish Kumar, ADGP, CID; Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, IGPs, senior officials of Civil Administration, Police, Army, Security forces, Intelligence Agencies and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

The Lieutenant Governor also comprehensively reviewed logistics and safety arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in light of the recent inclement weather and heavy rainfall across the region.

The Lieutenant Governor instructed all departments to maintain seamless coordination and ensure the safety, well-being and convenience of all pilgrims of Baba Barfani.

He directed for comprehensive department-wise review of all amenities including rigorous audits of fire and emergency services, power grids, and water supply infrastructure.

More than 3,91,000 pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave in the first 20 days.

The Lieutenant Governor said the resumption of the Yatra is strictly contingent upon weather conditions.

In view of recent heavy rains, the Lieutenant Governor directed for strengthening flood protection measures and immediate clearance of debris from all nallahs along the pilgrimage tracks. He instructed officials to strictly prohibit unregistered service providers along the route and to enforce a mandatory 100% prepaid service system.

He also instructed for the setting up of additional power DG sets, round-the-clock healthcare services, adequate availability of manpower, oxygen cylinders, and ambulances.

To ensure a swift response to potential incidents, the Lieutenant Governor instructed officials to maintain active traffic management, conduct regular vehicle inspections, ensure all equipment is functional, and issue timely weather alerts. He also directed that every tent must have a fire extinguisher and specialized wildlife units be stationed along the tracks.

3,500 OGWs detained in security sweep in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 23: Security forces have launched a massive Valley-wide crackdown and placed Kashmir on high alert after a policeman was killed in a terror attack in Anantnag, with over 3,500 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) detained for questioning and intensified frisking, naka checking, vehicle inspections and search operations being carried out across all districts, sources said on Thursday.

Sources told that security has been significantly tightened across the Valley, with forces intensifying surveillance, strengthening checkpoints, increasing vehicle checks and carrying out widespread search operations in several districts.

In a post on X, the Srinagar sector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said security across Kashmir had been put on high alert following the attack.

“Security forces have intensified surveillance, strengthened checkpoints and launched search operations to maintain law and order. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces,” the CRPF said.

The heightened security measures come a day after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead by terrorists at point-blank range in the busy Lal Chowk area of Anantnag on Wednesday afternoon.

Official sources said security agencies launched one of the largest counter-terror operations in recent months, detaining more than 3,500 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and terror sympathisers for questioning across Kashmir. OGWs is a term used for individuals accused of assisting or facilitating terrorist activities.

Intensive frisking, naka checking, vehicle inspections and cordon-and-search operations have been carried out across all districts of Kashmir as part of the security sweep, sources said.

As part of the ongoing crackdown, authorities on Thursday demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Officials told that the demolished houses belonged to families of Aadil Ahmad Thokar of Guree village in Bijbehara and Haroon Ganai of Hassanpora.

The action came a day after the killing of the policeman in Anantnag, with officials describing the demolitions as part of efforts to dismantle terror networks and their support infrastructure.

“The demolition was part of the ongoing crackdown against terrorists and their support infrastructure in the district,” officials said.