Rajnath Singh to visit J&K; review security of state, Amarnath Yatra

As many as 12,500 central paramilitary personnel and 8,000 state policemen will be deployed during the yatra

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days beginning tomorrow to review the security scenario there as well as arrangements for Amarnath Yatra, following a deadly terror attack on a CRPF convoy.

During the tour, the Home Minister will attend a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, top civil, police and Army officers to take stock of the prevailing situation in the state, particularly after the Saturday's attack in Pulwama district.

The Union Minister is expected to be briefed about various steps being taken by the security agencies to tackle the militancy as well as infiltration from across the border, official sources said.

The Home Ministry has already directed security forces to intensify vigil in the state in the wake of reports of increase of cross border infiltration.

A three-member team, set up by the Home Minister, is currently visiting the state to look into lapses, if any, in the Pulwama incident so that corrective steps could be taken.

Practices being followed during the movement of paramilitary forces convoy in Jammu and Kashmir will also come up for review in the meeting to be attended by Singh.

The Home Minister will also oversee the security arrangements being made along the two routes of Amarnath Yatra, which will begin on July 2.

Top Home Ministry officials are in constant touch with Jammu and Kashmir government for ensuring security to pilgrims going to the cave shrine located in the Himalayan range at a height of 12,756 feet.

As many as 12,500 central paramilitary personnel and 8,000 state policemen will be deployed along the two routes -- one from South Kashmir's Pahalgam and the other through Northeast Sonamarg.

There is no specific threat to the 48-day long yatra to the cave shrine but all security arrangements have been made by the state government with active support of the Centre, sources said.

Eight CRPF personnel were killed and at least 25 others injured when two militants attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama district on June 25.