Sitharaman, J&K Guv review security ahead of Amarnath Yatra

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed today the security situation and the arrangements for pilgrims ahead of the start of the annual Amarnath Yatra on Thursday.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, DGP S P Vaid and other senior Army and defence officials were present at the meeting.

Sitharaman undertook an aerial survey of the Yatra route along the Pahalgam axis, and inspected the arrangements at Baltal before reaching Srinagar, a Raj Bhawan spokesman said.

The 60-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine is scheduled to start on June 28.

During the meeting, she stressed that the security forces must act with synergy to achieve effective results.

Reiterating the importance of a secure environment to enable a smooth passage of the Yatra and encourage tourists to visit the state, the defence minister asked the security forces to continuously review the arrangements and ensure swift and targeted counter-terror response on the ground.

Governor Vohra said the police will continue to review arrangements in the coming days to ensure effective security.

Earlier today, Army officials briefed Sitharaman about the security situation in the valley at Badamibagh cantonment.

"She was also given an update on the latest security scenario in Kashmir including details of the counter infiltration and counter terrorist operations undertaken recently," an Army official said.