The security grid in Jammu and Kashmir has been put on an alert in view of the fifth anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution
Article 370 Fifth Anniversary
The security grid in Jammu and Kashmir has been put on an alert in view of the fifth anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, with all security forces instructed to avoid movement of convoys on Monday. In a message to all security agencies, police have advised them to observe a “dry day” with no movement of security convoys on August 5.
The advisory also said there should be no movement of convoys of Amarnath pilgrims between various base camps. However, the agencies assigned the task of road opening duties for Amarnath yatra routes and national highway have been directed to keep active deployment. The Centre on August 5, 2019, revoked Article 370 of the Constitution which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union.
The Centre also brought the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act that bifurcated the erstwhile state into two union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition parties, including the Congress and PDP, slammed the BJP for organising celebrations on this occasion calling it a “black day” in India’s history. A local PDP leader informed that the party will stage a protest at the Maharaja Hari Singh Park to condemn the abrogation of Article 370.
There has been a spike in terror attacks in the Jammu region in recent months, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) data show. As many as 28 people have been killed in 11 terror-related incidents and 24 encounters, including civilians and security personnel, up to July 21 this year.
No fresh batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims was allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for Kashmir as a precautionary measure in view of the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on Monday, officials said.
More than 4.90 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine so far this year.
“The yatra has been halted for the day as a precautionary measure. No fresh batch was allowed from Jammu to Kashmir today,” an officer told PTI.
In view of the infiltration of highly trained Pakistani terrorists in the Jammu region, the Indian Army is readjusting its deployments in the area as per intelligence inputs and security requirements. The Indian Army has deployed around 500 Para Special Forces commandos in the area to hunt down the 50-55 terrorists from Pakistan who have entered the region to revive terrorism there, defence sources told news agency ANI.
The intelligence agencies have also bolstered their apparatus in the area and are working to take out the terrorist support infrastructure there including overground workers who support terrorists, they said. The Army has already brought in troops to the area including one brigade strength of around 3,500-4000 personnel to counter Pakistan’s proxy aggression here, they said.
