Home Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Srinagar, Amarnath cave shrine on July 1-2

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days beginning July 1 during which he will offer prayers at the Amarnath cave shrine.

Singh will take part in a security review meeting in Srinagar on July 1 along with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, top civil, police, paramilitary and army officers.

The recent incidents of killings in Sopore districts and attacks on telecom companies and security arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage are expected to come up for discussion in the meeting, official sources said.

On July 2, the Home Minister will visit the holy cave shrine Amarnath where he will offer prayers and conduct a physical review of the steps being taken for the safety of the pilgrims.

Singh will be among the first batch of pilgrims to offer prayer at Amarnath as the two-month long pilgrimage to the cave shrine will begin on July 2.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary L C Goyal today visited the Panjtarni halting station on Pahalgam-Amarnath route to take stock of arrangements for the 59-day annual yatra.

Goyal visited Panjtarni halting station this morning to take stock of the arrangements made for the pilgrims.

The Home Secretary was briefed by officials of civil administration and security forces about measures taken to ensure a smooth and peaceful pilgrimage.