“2 terrorist attacks on pilgrims, 14 casualties during last five years”: MoS Nityanand Rai in LS

New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that there have been two terrorist attacks on pilgrims and 14 casualties were reported during the past five years in the country.

In a reply to the question raised by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee in Lok Sabha, MoS Rai said, “2 terrorist attacks on pilgrims and 14 Casualties of pilgrims during the last five years between 2019 to 29 July 2024. To ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, measures taken by the Government include the issuance of Advisories from time to time, sharing of intelligence through institutional mechanisms and providing Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) whenever requested by the concerned State/Union Territory (UT).”

MoS Rai said that the central government framed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and also implemented them, in particular, for the safety/security of pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that adequate security arrangements in coordination with all security agencies have been put in place for the safety of pilgrims.

“CCTV cameras have been installed on Amarnath Yatra (SANJY), 2024, routes, camps, langer points for proper surveillance and monitoring,” Rai said in Lok Sabha.

He said that drone surveillance is put in place at sensitive locations and specialised quick-action teams have been placed at appropriate and sensitive locations.

Corridor protection is provided by the Army. Senior-level officers are deployed at Pahalgam/ Baltal to monitor the arrangements of SANJY, 2024. Senior level officers are supervising the Yatra by taking periodical reviews of SANJY,” he said.

MoS Rai said that 577 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel died due to heart attacks and illness in Naxal affected area during the last five years between 2019 to 2023.