'Terrorists planning spectacular strike to sabotage Amarnath Yatra'

NEW DELHI: The Centre is adopting a wait and watch policy over extension of suspension of operation beyond Ramzan in Jammu and Kashmir, with security agencies having inputs that Pakistan-based militant outfits are planning to carry out a spectacular strike to sabotage 21-day long Amarnath Yatra which is starting from June 28.

The impact assessment of suspension of operation during holdy month of Ramzan which would end either on Friday or Saturday depending on sighting of moon, and security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra was discussed at high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Rajnath Singh at his residence on Thursday afternoon.

Ministry sources said final decision whether to end or extend suspension of operation after Ramzan was not taken during the almost 45-minute-long meeting. Fresh review of the peace initiative to reach out to Kashmiri Muslims will be taken after the Ramzan.


The ministry is likely to keep silence on the issue and would take a call as things unfold, said a senior ministry officer. During the threadbare deliberations among the country top security managers, led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, chiefs of R&AW and IB, intelligence inputs of an immenent strike by terrorists.

MHA sources said the intelligence also suggests that the terrorists are planning a different sort of modus operandi to take security forces by surprise. Use of improvised explosive devise (IED) to blow apart pilgrims or security personnel is also feared as one of the intruments to spread terror during the Amarnath Yatra, said a ministry officer.

A presentation on the terror attacks during the Ramzan was shared during the meeting. Though a section within the government is not averse to extension of suspension of operation but the fear of attack on Amarnath Yatra which would huge political cost is holding back the top security managers from taking an immideate decision on the reachout move.

The government is also under pressure from RSS and the BJP, which was never in favour of the initiative, to end the suspension of operation. The Army was initially apprehensive but later came out in support of it owing to feedback of a lul in terror activities in the state bordering Pakistan. However, incidents of terror attack continued during Ramzan.