Amit Shah to chair high-level security meeting ahead of Amarnath Yatra

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to chair a high-level meeting on Friday to review the preparedness of security arrangements in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Amarnath Yatra. Shah is expected to review the arrangements made by the UT administration for the pilgrims during a meeting with top officials of the central government and local administration.

According to reports, intelligence agencies have warned of a terror attack by Pakistani terror outfits to disrupt the pilgrimage, for which adequate measures will be taken by security forces.

Media reports suggest that all stakeholders involved in the process of the 62-day annual pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine will attend the meeting in the state capital.

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been directed to clear snow by June 15 due to inclement weather in the valley and fresh snow in the upper reaches of Kashmir, including the track leading to the holy cave. Last year around 3.45 million pilgrims thronged the holy cave, this year an increase of five million is expected.

As the track is prone to stone-pelting and flash floods, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has started identifying ideal locations for setting up pilgrim camps in view of any possible unforeseen natural calamity that could threaten people's lives. Pilgrims. About 16 people were last killed in flash floods triggered by heavy rains near the shrine.

To avoid any mishap during the Amarnath Yatra, Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are expected to be deployed to conduct aerial combat in the upper reaches of the sacred cave to check glacial events and lake formation that may trigger flashes. . floods from the hill.