Published 16:18 IST, August 2nd 2019
Omar Abdullah on 'unprecedented' call for Amarnath Yatris' return: 'Airports & highways will be choked with people leaving'
NC leader Omar Abdullah has responded to the Jammu and Kashmir government's security advisory on Friday asking the Amarnath Yatris to curtail their stay and return back from the Valley.
NC leader Omar Abdullah has responded to the Jammu and Kashmir government's security advisory on Friday asking the Amarnath Yatris to curtail their stay and return back from the Valley keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats. Taking to Twitter, the former J&K CM has said that while the "unprecedented order would seem to suggest a genuine fear of a massive terror strike directed at Amarnath yatris or/and tourists in the Valley, it won't affect the prevailing sense of fear and foreboding among the citizens in the state.
In another tweet responding to a Twitter user's statement over the order wishing that "it does not create fresh panic and force all tourists to desert Kashmir", Abdullah in an upfront manner asked which tourist will hang around after seeing the order asking the Amarnath Yatris to curtail their Yatra over terror threats.
He further said that with the tourists running from the Valley as fast as they can, the airport and the highways will be choked with people leaving.
J&K government issues advisory
Keeping in view the intelligence inputs of terror threat backed by Pakistan Army in Kashmir, the government issued an unprecedented security advisory, asking the Amarnath Yatris to curtail their stay and return back from the valley. The letter has been issued considering the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir valley.
Indian Amry foils terror attack on Yatris
The advisory came moments after the joint press brief by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon and J&K DGP Dilbag Singh in Srinagar, wherein Lt General KJS Dhillon confirmed that a terror attack on Amarnath Yatra was foiled after an IED and American sniper rifle were recovered on the pilgrim route.
"In the last 3 to 4 days, confirmed intelligence reports were received that terrorist backed by Pakistan Army and Pakistan are trying to disrupt the Yatra and based on the information, thorough search was conducted on both the routes by a combined team of Army. For the last 3 days, these searches are going on. We have had major successes in the searches," Lt General KJS Dhillon said during the press briefing.
NC leaders meet PM Modi over J&K security concerns
On Thursday, National Conference delegation led by former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar met PM Modi at the Parliament and apprised him about the conditions in the state.
Updated 16:56 IST, August 2nd 2019