The army has received inputs that terrorists might try to disrupt the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to commence from June 28, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt General K T Parnaik said Monday.
"Intelligence inputs which we are receiving suggest that they (terrorists) have intentions to disrupt the yatra," Parnaik told reporters on the occasion of the Raising Day of the Northern Command in Udhampur.
He, however, said it was difficult to gauge where from these threats were emanating and how the terrorists might try to attack the pilgrimage.
"These warnings are coming, but who these persons are and where from they are coming, how will they strike one doesn't know," he said.
The general said the forces need to maintain a high degree of alert and foil any such attempt made by the anti-national elements.
"Precautions are being taken. We have meetings in unified command and in operation groups. We also have meetings under Operation Shiva -- the operation named for the security of the Amarnath Yatra -- we discuss the security arrangements for the pilgrimage and plans are made on how to secure the yatra," he said.
"The security of the track, as you know, is the concern of the CRPF and JK police. Army is stationed near the shrine. But we maintain surveillance from all the four sides," he said.
"We need to be alert and do not provide them a chance to carry out any such incident," Parnaik said.
The general, however, admitted that it was humanly going to be difficult to keep a check on each and every devotee coming for the yatra.
"It is very difficult to keep a check on each and everyone coming for the yatra. We can not check the toothbrush and paste of every person and neither can we check their shoes, it humanly impossible," he said.
But, there were other mechanisms to deal with such situations, he said.
The general said the state has witnessed an increase in tourist inflow during the last couple of years.
"We have seen very good season since last couple of years. Tourism has grown, there has been an increase in yatra. More people have come for the pilgrimage. They saw how peaceful the area is. They also enjoyed their stay here," he said.
Image: Pilgrims trek to Holy Cave of Amarnath
Photograph: Umar Ganie
