Tourists and pilgrims on the Amarnath Yatra have been asked by the Jammu and Kashmir government to "immediately" cut short their stay in the Kashmir Valley and return. Pilgrims and tourists have never before been urged to leave Kashmir, which has seen a massive build-up of troops in the past week.
The order follows confirmed intelligence reports from the Indian Army that terrorists backed by Pakistan as well as its army were trying to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra.
The army said they had found a landmine with Pakistan ordnance factory markings and an M-24 American sniper rifle with telescopic sight.
A senior army official said the Amarnath Yatra route was being "sanitised for three days". "In the last three-four days, there were confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by Pakistan and its army is trying to disrupt Amarnath Yatra and based on that a thorough search was conducted. We had major successes in these searches," said Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon.
The Army and police held a joint press conference against the backdrop of reports of an increased presence of troops in Jammu and Kashmir.
The announcement asking pilgrims and tourists to leave Jammu and Kashmir has led to people queuing up to buy essentials, with long lines reported at fuel stations, medical shops and ATMs.
Jammu and Kashmir's former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah both hit out over the handling of the security threat.
While National Conference leader Omar Abdullah claimed people staying in hotels in Gulmarg were being forced to leave hours after the Jammu and Kashmir government issued the advisory, Mehbooba Mufti said there was "complete chaos in the streets" of capital Srinagar.
Here are the Updates over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir:
Read Here: As Pilgrims Are Advised To Leave Kashmir, Concerns About Security ThreatAmarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists have been asked by the Jammu and Kashmir government to "immediately" cut short their stay in the Kashmir Valley and go back, in an unprecedented advisory amid intelligence inputs of terror threats.
Read Here: Be Ready To Operate Extra Flights From Srinagar, Airlines Advised: ReportWith turmoil over the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, aviation regulator DGCA advised airlines on Friday to remain ready to operate additional flights from the Srinagar airport if the need arises, news agency PTI reported quoting a source.
#FlyAI : In view of the prevailing circumstances, AI will give a full fee waiver on rescheduling/cancellation for all #airindia flights to/from #Srinagar till Aug 15th August.
- Air India (@airindiain) August 2, 2019
In view of the current security situation in Srinagar and the Government advisory regarding it, we are providing a full fee waiver on rescheduling/cancellation for all flights to/from Srinagar till Aug 09, 2019. Reach out to us on Twitter, FB or chat at https://t.co/MLOVgXpFO0.
- IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 2, 2019
#TravelUpdate pic.twitter.com/C8c9v7rcTF
- Vistara (@airvistara) August 2, 2019
Complete chaos on the streets of Srinagar. People rushing to ATMs, petrol pumps & stocking up on essential supplies. Is GOI only concerned about the safety of yatris while Kashmiris have been left to their own devices?
- Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 2, 2019
It's easy to accuse us of spreading fear but no one is bothering to tell the people what is happening so how do you expect that fear won't be a natural result of this situation that has been allowed to fester?
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 2, 2019
@jkpdp president @MehboobaMufti will address an emergency press conference at her residence , Gupkar , Srinagar at 9 pm tonight.
- Syed Suhail Bukhari (@Suhail_Bukhari) August 2, 2019
You failed to win over the love of a single Muslim majority state which rejected division on religious grounds & chose secular India. The gloves are finally off & India has chosen territory over people.
- Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 2, 2019
Read Here: Omar Abdullah Tweets On Kashmir Advisory: Why Is Gulmarg Being EmptiedNational Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Friday claimed that the people staying in hotels in Gulmarg were being forced to leave, hours after the Jammu and Kashmir government issued an advisory to Amarnath pilgrims and tourists to "immediately" cut short their stay.
Read Here: Pakistan Army Landmine, Sniper Rifle Found In Amarnath Yatra Route: ArmyThere are confirmed intelligence reports that terrorists backed by the Pakistan Army are trying to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra, the army said today, revealing that a landmine and a sniper rifle were found on the route of the pilgrimage.
Read Here: Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims, Tourists Asked To Leave J&K Amid Security ThreatAmarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists have been asked by the Jammu and Kashmir government to "immediately" cut short their stay in the Kashmir Valley and go back, in an unprecedented advisory amid intelligence inputs of terror threats.
