Despite attack on pilgrims, Amarnath yatra continues as usual

“Terrorists fired on a police checkpoint and the fire was returned”. This attacks is likely to further deepen the already widening divide between Kashmir and Jammu as it will pit a Hindu majority Jammu against the Muslim majority Kashmir. However, the bus was not part of the Amarnath yatra convoy and was plying after the 7 pm deadline imposed by the security officials on the movement of the yatra vehicles. The official said the attack in Anantnag appears to be a reprisal for killing of several Lashkar militants including Bashir Lashkari in an encounter with security forces earlier this month.

The US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Norway, Canada, Iran apart from The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) countries-Afghanistan, Bangladesh.

“We demand that the representatives of the United Nations here should conduct independent probe in this case so that the reality comes in front of people”, Zargar said adding that independent probe was must as Kashmiris “do not trust the investigations conducted by the Indian agencies”. “The attack on Amarnath yatris has caused great pain to us”.

That is the reason why Kashmiri across the political, religious and ideological spectrum have condemned the attack.

The Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in his telephonic call to Vohra and Mehbooba, sought details of the attack. “Safety and security of the pilgrims will be ensured”. Although the indetities of trapped militants are not yet confirmed, sources said Isamil, mastermind of Amarnath Yatra terror attack, could be among them.

Training guns on the BJP-led Centre, the VHP attributed the attack on its failure to curb terrorism in the state during its three-year rule.

The CRPF is the largest Central force deployed in the Valley for counter-insurgency operations and providing security to Amarnath Yatra. Security has also been beefed up at Jammu-Srinagar National highway in Udhampur. There is a state of high security in Kashmir.

Undeterred by the attack, 10,929 pilgrims visited the cave shrine yesterday and paid their obeisance at the naturally formed ice-lingam considered by devotees as a symbol of Lord Shiva.

A bus carrying Amarnath Pilgrims was attacked on Monday by the terrorist when they opened fire at Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district around 8.20 p.m.

Amarnath is considered one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.

The killing has sparked an outrage in Kashmir, with most people dismissing denouncing the attack on pilgrims.