The symbolic Amarnath Yatra would commence from 28th June 2018, amid heightened tensions and violence in Kashmir. The ongoing terror attacks in Kashmir put the Amarnath Yatra 2018 in the grip of fear and uncertainty. Last year, 8 pilgrims were killed during the Yatra. The security forces are on high alert and over 24,000 soldiers have been deployed to secure the Amarnath Yatra 2018.Â
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- Amarnath Yatra Attacks of 2017; 8 Pilgrims from Gujarat Killed
The Killing of a Journalist Escalates Tensions in Kashmir
The Amarnath Yatra has always dwelled in fear of terror but still, the incessant faith of pilgrims makes them reach here in galore. In an unfortunate event, a senior journalist in Kashmir was shot dead on Thursday. Shujaat Bukhari was the editor of Rising Kashmir newspaper, who stood for peace and dialogue in Kashmir.
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He was shot dead along with two of his bodyguards by unidentified men. The incident brought jitters across the entire nation and destabilised peace process in Kashmir furthermore. Among such violence in Kashmir being nurtured by anti-social elements, the Amarnath Yatra 2018 has security concerns lurking around it.
Radio Frequency Identification for Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims
As a part of escalated security measures, vehicles travelling to the Amarnath Shrine will be tagged with Radio Frequency tags. A multidimensional security set up will be put in place as per the officials. Vehicles parked at taxi stands, railway station, and airport in Jammu will also be tagged with the Radio Frequency Identification tags.
Comprehensive Security Measures for Amarnath Yatra 2018
The security forces will leave no stone unturned to ensure security and safety of the pilgrims. Jammers, bulletproof bunkers, tracking satellites and dog squads in addition to thousands of security personnel will guard the Amarnath Yatra. Frequent drills along the routes will be conducted too. As the Kashmir valley is burning and the violence in Kashmir is growing the security forces need to be very alert.
Previous Attacks on Amarnath Yatra
According to a Kashmiri Pandit organization in Jammu, attack on Amarnath Yatra justifies the fear and apprehension of Kashmiri Pandits to resettles in the valley. Various militant organizations and separatists leaders had assured that pilgrims will never be targetted, but those hollow assurances disappeared when innocent pilgrims were attacked.
As EurAsian Times reported earlier, the militant attack in 2017, where 8 people died, was not the first attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. In August 2000, militants attacked the base camp of Pahalgam where 32 people were killed. On 20th of July, 2001, militants attacked the devotees where 13 people were killed. Due to ever increasing attacks, over 24,000 Indian soldiers have been deployed for the Amarnath Yatra 2018.
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