Security Incident in Ramban District Raises Concerns Amid Amarnath Yatra

Suspicious Vehicle Flees Police Checkpoint

On Friday morning, a suspicious incident occurred in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, where a Scorpio vehicle traveling from Srinagar to Jammu broke through a police checkpoint in Chanderkot. Despite police warnings and three rounds of gunfire, the driver managed to escape the scene. Following the incident, security measures in the area have been heightened.

Details of the Incident

According to officials, police signaled the vehicle to stop during a security check in Chanderkot. However, the driver allegedly ignored the signals and accelerated towards Nashri. The police fired three rounds in an attempt to halt the vehicle, but the driver successfully fled the area.

Joint Search Operation Launched

In response to the incident, a joint search operation has been initiated by the police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the army to locate the vehicle and identify its occupants.

Security Concerns for Amarnath Yatra

The search for the Scorpio is ongoing in the surrounding areas, raising security concerns for pilgrims participating in the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as Ramban district is a crucial route for this pilgrimage.

Resumption of Yatra Amid Tight Security

After a one-day suspension due to heightened security measures on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, the Yatra resumed from Jammu on Thursday. A group of 1,801 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for the Amarnath cave temple in South Kashmir.

Details of the Pilgrimage

Officials reported that the 28th batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the Baltal base camp around 2:45 AM under strict security. However, no convoy was dispatched via the Pahalgam route. This batch included 1,347 men, 351 women, 89 sadhus, and 14 sadhvis traveling in 74 vehicles. With this departure, the total number of pilgrims leaving Jammu for this year's annual Yatra has reached 143,513.

Pilgrimage Statistics

So far, over 471,000 pilgrims have visited the 3,880-meter-high Amarnath cave temple to see the ice Shiva Lingam. This annual pilgrimage, which lasts for 57 days, will conclude on August 28.