Srinagar, June 12, 2023 (PPI-OT): In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities have converted the entire territory, particularly South Kashmir including famous health resort of Pahalgam into a military garrison weeks ahead of the annual Amarnath yatra, causing huge inconvenience to the locals. Indian paramilitary personnel deployed in strength are seen patrolling and chcking most of the roads in South Kashmir. New pickets have come up at many places along the Islamabad-Pahalgam and Srinagar areas where the troops frisk the vehicles and subject the travelers to identification checks.

The paramilitary personnel and police commandos also carry out regular search operations in the Pahalgam area. Indian government has already approved 300 additional paramilitary companies for deployment at specific locations along the route. Scores of bullet-proof police vehicles and bunkers have been installed as part of the biggest-ever blanket thrown out in the name of securing Hindu pilgrims.

Indian army, CRPF, BSF and SSB have been equipped with high-tech gadgets. The yatra is scheduled to start on July 01 and to conclude on 31 August 2023.

Meanwhile, observers are witnessing the situation with caution as the lobbying of Hindutva groups, which want to expand the yatra as a means to show the Valley with Hindu presence. These groups have now mobilised to build up “emerging yatras”, like the Buddha Amarnath, Kauser Nag and Sindhu Darshan Yatras to materialize their Hindutva dream of converting Muslim Jammu and Kashmir into a Hindu territory.

For more information, contact:

Kashmir Media Service

Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549

Fax: +92-51-4861736

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.kmsnews.org