Army steps up security ahead of Amarnath Yatra

The army has stepped up security across the Kashmir Valley to ensure that the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra passes off without a hitch amid reports of militant threats.

The authorities have deployed army and paramilitary, border security forces personnel in the mountains en route to the holy cave from both the Chandanwari side as well as the Baltal side.

General Officer Commanding of Victor Force, Major General R R Nimbhorkar, said over the weekend that they had proactively taken all precautions to combat any situation.

"There is a multi-layered security and we have dominated our areas and now we are quite well geared up to take on any challenge if it comes to us and if you say that, it has to be called a pre-emptive and a proactive kind of security," said Major General Nimbhorkar.

Security personnel have began frisking at several places and are regularly checking passing vehicles.

Reportedly, the army would also use the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for air surveillance during the pilgrimage.

The army has named this security operation as 'Operation Shiva'.

Major General Nimbhorkar hoped to thwart all elements trying to obstruct the pilgrimage.

"Considering the preparations, considering our training and our requirement and what we have done, I am quite sure that we will be able to thwart any designs being taken by inimical elements towards the Yatra," he added.

Thousands of pilgrims undertake this journey to the shrine cave of Shivlinga, of ice.

The cave containing the holy Shiv shrine is located at a snow-capped mountainous peak of the Himalayas.

Such is the faith of the devout Hindus that despite hostile environs, and inclement weather, records are broken year after year as far as the number of pilgrims as evident from the number of pilgrims increasing with each passing year.

This annual pilgrimage commences in the last week of June every year and concludes in early August.

Undeterred by violence, Hindu pilgrims trekked daily through icy streams and frozen mountain passes to 3,800 metres (12,700 feet) high Amarnath cave shrine, to worship an ice stalagmite, believed to be the symbol of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration.