Srinagar, June 26: A top Hizbul Mujahideen commander on Tuesday said that the terror organisation would not hurt Amarnath Pilgrims. In an audio clip released on social media, Field Operational Commander, Riyaz Naikoo said, “Amarnath Yatra is not our target. Pilgrims come here to perform their religious rituals. They are our guests.”

Naikoo also termed the statement of Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir, SP Vaid that terrorists were planning to attack Amarnath Yatra as baseless. The yatra is beginning from tomorrow. Yesterday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and General Bipin Rawat visited Baltal Base camp to review security arrangements ahead of the yatra. Sitharaman also met Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra.

The Amarnath yatra will continue till August 26. This time the yatra will of 60 days and aroung 2 lakh pilgrims registered for the pilgrimage. The Amarnath cave shrine is located at 12,756 feet in the Himalayas. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) that was constituted by an Act of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature in 2000 manages the shrine.

Last year, eight pilgrims were killed in a terrorist attack. The Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked a bus of pilgrims. On August 2000, 32 people were killed in a terrorist attack at Nunwan base camp in Anantnag district. Out of the 32 killed, 21 were Hindu pilgrims. Terrorists also targeted the yatra in 2001 and 2002.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2018 11:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).