Vaishnodevi on militants' radar: CRPF

The cave shrine of Vaishnodevi, one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in the country, is on the radar of militants, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"There is a threat to the cave shrine of Vaishnodevi from militants. We have received inputs that militants want to do some mischief," Special Director General of Central Reserve Police Force N K Tripathi told mediapersons in Jammu.

"Elaborate security measures are in place as per the threat perception. There is no laxity on part of the CRPF," he said.

Jawans have been put on high level of vigilance and they started patrolling well before January 26 in Trikuta hills, the abode of cave shrine, Tripathi said, adding 'the shrine is secured and safe so pilgrims should not fear. They can undertake pilgrimage as CRPF is there for their security.'

To a question, he said CRPF is main security agency providing security cover to the shrine and a full 6th battalion is guarding it.

There is always a change in the strategy as per threat perception from time to time. "I had visited the shrine for security review after the threat inputs. There is frisking of pilgrims, round the clock patrolling, check points, nakas and electronic surveillance at the shrine and around it," he said.

Image: Devotees wait to enter the holy cave of Vaishnodevi
Photograph: Amit Gupta / Reuters