Srinagar, Aug 4: The Indian Air Force Saturday flew out Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists from Kashmir to two destinations after the J&K administration cancelled the pilgrimage due to threat of terrorist attacks to it.
The pilgrims and tourists were flown in IAF's C-17 transport aircraft to Jammu and Pathankot from Srinagar, sources said.
As many as 6,126 passengers reached the Srinagar airport yesterday, but 5,829 passengers traveled by 32 scheduled flights, sources said.
"Remaining 387 passengers accommodated in 4 IAF Aircraft & flown to destinations like Jammu, Pathankot & Hindon," ANI reported.
IAF C-17s has been transporting paramilitary personnel to J&K in the last few days.
The centre has deployed about 10,000 troops of paramilitary forces in J&K about a week ago. The government said the paramilitary deployment is for security situation prevailing there.
Security forces have inputs that terrorists could target Amarnath Yatra and disrupt peace in the state.
On Friday, the Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon had told reporters that mines, an American M-24 sniper rifle and ammunition, were found along Baltal and Pahalgam pilgrimage routes.
He also said several terrorists have assembled at launch pads across the Line of Control. Also, several infiltration attempts into India have taken place, he added.
The Indian Army yesterday had said Pakistan Army regularly tries to push terrorists through infiltration and fires a multitude of weapons to assist them.
The IAF aircraft was pressed into service because of the unavailability of commercial flights, sources said.
There were several attempts by Pakistan to disturb peace in Kashmir and target Amarnath Yatra in last 36 hours.
Alert troops neutralized 5 to 7 Pakistan regulars or terrorists, while the neighboring country tried to conduct a Border Action Team on one of the forward posts in Keran sector.
As many as four hardcore Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were neutralized in the valley.
The army said Pakistan is deliberately resorting to malicious campaign of use of cluster ammunition by Indian Army, instead of taking credible actions against terror activities being carried out from its soil.
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