Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of terror attack on Amarnath Yatris at a high level meeting today. The meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, IB director, RAW chief and other senior Home Ministry officials. The Home Minsiter, directed officials to ensure foolproof security of the pilgrims. He asked the authorities to ensure proper treatment of the injured yatris.Saying, the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation, Singh also lauded that every section of the society has condemned the cowardly attack.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra also held a high-level meeting at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar to review the security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage. Governor visited the IAF Base in Srinagar and met the injured Amarnath Yatris. After treatment, the injured pilgrims were airlifted to the Srinagar Airport this morning. Three pilgrims, who are seriously injured, are still in hospitals at Anantnag and Srinagar. The Governor also paid respect to the seven pilgrims killed in the attack by laying wreaths on their coffins.
Director General of CRPF Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar also reached Srinagar today. He will visit the attack site and hold review meetings with CRPF officials and the state police.
Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Munir Ahmad Khan today said, terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba was involved in the attack. He said, five to six terrorists were involved, who carried out on the direction of a Pakistani terrorist.
Late last evening, seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 injured when a bus carrying them was fired upon by terrorists in Khanabal area of Anantnag district. The security forces and terrororists were also involved in an exchange of fire in the area.
The mortal remains of seven pilgrims, the 19 injured and remaining 32 were airlifted today in a special aircraft from Srinagar and were taken to Surat. Police said, all the deceased have been identified.
Security sources have also informed that the bus was on way to Jammu from Baltal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and was not a part of the yatri convoy.
State Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti along with senior ministers and top civil and police officials rushed to the spot to assess the situation. Ms. Mufti said the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag is a blot on all Muslims and Kashmiris.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited Srinagar Airport this morning to pay floral tributes to the Amarnath pilgrims killed in an attack in Anantnag last night. Ms Mufti also met the injured at Srinagar and Anantnag. She directed the hospital administrations at both the places to ensure best possible care.
The President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister have stongly condemned the attack on pilgrims.
In a tweet, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed his grief over the loss of innocent lives in the incident.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, in a message said, such wanton acts of violence can have no justification and the perpetrators should be punished for this crime against humanity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stongly condemned the attack and asserted that India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and evil designs of hate. The Prime Minister said, he spoke to Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley termed the attack as the most reprehensible act and said this incident should add to the nation’s determination to eliminate terrorism. The attack was also condemned by Sonia Gandhi and other leaders as well.
BJP President Amit Shah has expressed his grief on the killing of innocent pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Amarnath. In a tweet, Mr Shah said, it is a henious act and cowards responsible for this barbaric act will not be spared. Mr Shah said, he has spoken to the BJP District President and MLC from Anantnag and asked the party workers in Kashmir to help the pilgrims in need.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also condemned the attack terming the attack as a crime against humanity and called for decisive action against its perpetrators.Congress president said the government should order a thorough probe into any security lapses.She expressed deep shock over the death of pilgrims in the terrorist attack and asked the government to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said, the attack is an act against humanity. He said it brings bad name to state of Kashmir and no religion accepts such cowardly behavior. Mr Naidu expressed confidence that the Jammu and Kashmir government and Central security forces are making all arrangements for safety of Amarnath pilgrims.
Last time, the Amarnath yatra was targeted in 2001 when terrorists had struck in the Sheshnag area close to the holy cave of Amarnath, killing 13 people.Prior to that, terrorists had attack Amarnath pilgrims in 2000 in Pahalgam area, killing 30 people.
