Amarnath Yatra: A History Of Terrorist Attacks
30 June, 2022 | Riya Girdhar
due to the infamous pandemic, the Amarnath Yatra was suspended for two years. And now in June 2022, it is all set to begin again.
The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most revered and significant pilgrimages, leading to the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas in South Kashmir. Thousands of pilgrims ascend to the temple each year. But due to the infamous pandemic, the Amarnath Yatra was suspended for two years. And now in June 2022, it is all set to begin again.
This year has seen a series of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir; among those killed were Vijay Kumar, a bank manager, and a social media sensation who was shot dead in Budgam by militants. A sizable contingent of the military has been deployed to maintain safety and prevent any accidents from happening during the Yatra.
The attacks that had previously occurred and on several occasions the yaatris were put in grave danger which furthermore increases the reasons for tightening the security of the Amarnath Yatra. Here’s the list of attacks that have previously taken place during the yatra:
1 – 2001 Massacre
On July 20, 2001, 13 people were killed and 15 were injured in a terror attack on a pilgrim night camp. The incident took place at Sheshnag lake near Amarnath temple in Kashmir, in 2 explosions and firing by militants.
2 – 2002 Lashkar Attack
Al-Mansuriyan, the front organization for the Lashkar-e-Taiba, carried out a terrorist strike on July 30, 2002, which left 30 people injured and 11 dead. Attacks on the Amarnath yatra had occurred for the third year in a row in 2002. On the same day, two individuals were killed and three others were injured when grenades were fired at a cab carrying passengers.
3 – 2002 Lashkar Attack
The incident that took place on August 6, 2002, at the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam resulted in the deaths of 9 individuals and the injury of 27 others. It was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.
4 – 2017 Terror Attack
The attack on a bus carrying Gujarati pilgrims to the Amarnath shrine resulted in 32 injuries and seven fatalities. After the incident, the inspector general of CPRF had made a statement in which he indicated that Lashkar-e-Taiba might be behind the said attack.