Himalayan News Service

Jammu, June 14:

A devastating car bomb blast in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 14 people has heightened concerns over the pilgrimage to the Hindu cave shrine of Amarnath beginning next week, even as Indian troops went on high alert today in Kashmir following the blast. Some fear that the militants might trigger such explosions during the pilgrimage starting on June 21. “We will have to take extra precautions now,” said a senior official. Senior police and army officials reviewed the security arrangements for the pilgrimage on late Monday night following the blast in Pulwama district. An official said that frisking on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway would be intensified. And pilgrims would be advised to move under security cover only.