ISI may target Amarnath Yatra to divert attention from PoK unrest: Intelligence inputs
Indian intelligence agencies have warned of a possible security threat to the Amarnath Yatra, alleging that the ISI may attempt to divert attention from unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and other regions. Security has been strengthened along the pilgrimage route
New Delhi: A diversion away from the developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) is what Pakistan is in desperate need of. The Indian agencies now warn that to divert attention the ISI would attempt some misadventure during the Amarnath Yatra that is scheduled to commence on July 3.
All three regions in Pakistan are on the boil and the events at PoK have made it worse for Islamabad. The desperation of the Pakistan establishment was evident when it carried out strikes in Afghanistan that claimed 35 lives, officials say.
The Indian Intelligence agencies however view these unprovoked strikes as a diversionary tactic. These diversionary tactics have become a necessity for Pakistan, which is reeling under a terrible crisis in PoK.
According to the intercepts picked up by the Indian agencies, Islamabad would attempt something similar in India. The Pakistan Army is desperate and questions are being asked about its capabilities. An official said that the ISI would attempt an attack during the Amarnath Yatra.
The Intelligence agencies have learnt that the ISI is desperately trying to get in touch with a handful of terrorists who are hiding in the forest areas in Jammu and Kashmir.
These persons are their best bet and security officials say that Pakistan has been trying to get in touch with these terrorists and direct them to carry out an attack on the scale of the Pahalgam attack.
The security agencies are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the security of the pilgrims. There is unprecedented security in place with the police re-enforcing anti-terror networks along the route. Further, the agencies have deployed AI-enabled cameras and digital scanning systems to ensure nothing untoward takes place.
While Operation Sindoor exposed the weakness of the Pakistan military, the developments in KP, Balochistan and PoK have exposed the establishment further.
An Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI is planning major operations in Jammu and Kashmir. A big strike on Indian soil is what is being planned as the ISI feels that this could act as a big diversion.
In the last couple of days, the ISI has been desperately trying to activate its modules in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani spy agency wants an urgent operation in India so that the attention of its people would be diverted the official also said.
Another official said that the ISI has been trying to revive modules in both Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The official said that while Punjab has witnessed low-intensity attacks, for the ISI a strike at Jammu and Kashmir would be a preferred choice. A big strike there would automatically divert the attention of the Pakistani people from the developments in PoK, the official said.
The official also said that the developments in PoK have become an embarrassment for the Pakistan establishment. Their own people are now raising questions about the atrocities that are being committed in PoK. While the Pakistani security forces have tried their best to beat down the protesters, the people of PoK have remained firm in their resolve.
Officials say that the problem now for the establishment is that the PoK problem is no longer localised. The protesters are calling out to the international community for help and attention.
Moreover, within Pakistan, there are a good number of people who have been questioning the establishment about the manner in which the PoK people are being treated, the official added.
These developments come in the midst of an ongoing anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. The operation has entered its 39th day and the Indian security forces are continuing with combing operations in the dense forest areas of Dorimal.
