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Lashkar asks pilgrims to perform
Amarnath yatra without fear

"Our aim is neither to attack the Amarnath yatra nor the people of Jammu and Kashmir and therefore the pilgrims should join the yatra without any fear," LeT spokesman Abu Abra said in a statement to a Srinagar news agency.

Stating that Lashkar has decided to intensify 'fidayeen' (suicidal) attacks in the Jammu region, particularly along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, he said security forces and their agents, and not pilgrims, would be the target.

Meanwhile, a government spokesman defending the policy adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir government to restrict the number of yatris and langars (community kitchens), said overcrowding at places like Pahalgam and Jammu posed a serious security risk.

"The state government has concrete intelligence reports suggesting that militants would make attempts to disrupt the yatra at various points, including Jammu, Pahalgam and the Srinagar-Jammu national highway", he said, adding three militant attacks had already taken place.

Earlier, militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen had expressed apprehension about a possible attack on the yatris to vitiate the atmosphere on the eve of Indo-Pak summit and defame the mujahideen at the international level.

"The anti-movement elements may go for an unwanted act and therefore it is the responsibility of the people to remain vigilant," Hizb spokesman commander Masood said in a statement immediately after the commencement of the month-long yatra on July 3.

He said, "Hizb considers creating any hurdle in performing one's religious obligations as against the teachings and tenants of the holy Quran."

The Indo-Pak Summit: Complete Coverage

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