Most wanted gangster killed in shootout at Kathua, J&K Police SI also martyred
Special police officer Anil Kumar and an associate of the killed gangster were injured during exchange of fire.
Due to high threat perception, satellite and drones tracked the first convoy of 2,280 pilgrims that was flagged off from Jammu early Wednesday morning for the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath in South Kashmir. The flagging of ceremony was done by deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh.
A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) accompanied the pilgrims as security forces were deployed in strength on the 300-km highway. Armed personnel of CRPF piloted and escorted the convoy of 72 vehicles carrying the pilgrims who chanted slogans hailing Lord Shiva. However, the men, women, children and sadhus in the convoy appeared relaxed and said they were not in panic due to the recent violent incidents in the Valley.
Senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were monitoring movement of the convoy for which unprecedented security arrangements were made in view of the ongoing terrorist attacks in the Kashmir valley.
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A top CRPF officer said that the pilgrims in the coming 40 days will be allowed to move out of Jammu only after clearance by the Road Opening Parties (ROPs) that will thoroughly examine the highway. CCTV cameras, jammers, bullet proof bunkers and sophisticated gadgets have been installed on the highway for safety of the pilgrims. The pilgrimage that will begin from Pahalgam and Baltal in the valley tomorrow will conclude on August 7.
Sniffer dog squads and QRTs have been deployed at strategic places on the highway. Intelligence inputs have warned that terrorists might try to attack the pilgrims.
Men of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP, NDRF and various other agencies have been deployed to keep the pilgrimage secure. About 40,000 troops have been mobilised for safety of the pilgrims.
As the pilgrimage began under the never-before tight security, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security arrangements.
The DGP, SP Vaid, and the IGPs of Jammu and Kashmir ranges, are on their toes to see that nothing goes wrong.
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