Jammu, June 21: In wake of the upcoming annual Amarnath yatra, security forces have been asked to maintain the highest level of alertness. In an effort to airlift 1080 registered passengers to Gunji to enable them to continue their journey for the coveted annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the Indian Air Force would create an airbridge between Pithoragarh and Gunji for three months, starting 18 Jun 2018.

The helicopters, from Kirpan and Nubra Warrior units of the IAF, would be deployed for about three months catering for the return journey as well and would fly about 300 hrs in the duration of the operations.

"We have deployed three MLH class of helicopters at Pithoragarh which would be carrying approximately 60-80 passengers per day,” said the task force commander positioned at Pithoragarh.

The two-month-long pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine of Amarnath will commence on June 28. A detailed briefing has been given by officers of Intelligence agencies and Army and police with regard to security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage.

According to a report by IANS, the External Affairs Ministry approached the Defence Ministry for air effort between the places enroute the yatra where the connectivity was envisaged to be poor.

The statement said, "For three months, starting June 18, the Indian Air Force would create an airbridge between Pithoragarh and Gunji, in an effort to airlift 1,080 registered passengers to Gunji to enable them to continue their journey for the coveted annual Kailash Mansarovar Yatra”.

All border police stations, posts and check-points have also been directed to be strengthened and activated to neutralize any attempt of infiltration by terrorists from across the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC), a police spokesman said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2018 12:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).