Anantnag attack: LeT now blames intel agencies for 'masterminding' the attack
- The dastardly attack on Amarnath pilgrims late on Monday night has gotten the security forces reeling under pressure of finding the perpetrators.
- While all evidences prove that LeT is behind the attack, the terror organisation blames the Indian intelligence instead.
- LeT spokesperson says that this was staged by the Indian Army to fuel the political crisis in the state.
FollowEven though all evidences point toward LeT masterminding the attack on Amarnath pilgrims in the Anantnag district, the terror organisation still has the audacity of blaming the Indian Army for planning the flag attack to fuel the political crisis. Denying the charges completely, LeT spokesperson Dr Abdullah Ghaznavi termed the attack as "highly reprehensible" and said, "Islam does not allow violence against any faith. We strongly condemn such acts.”
According to a report by the Deccan Chronicle, Ghaznavi reacted to the police's claim of LeT involvement and said, "Kashmiris have never targeted any pilgrim. This barbarity and atrocity is the trademark of Indian forces." He further added, "India wants to sabotage the freedom struggle of Kashmiris. Therefore, it uses such attacks to fulfil its nefarious agenda. At times, India uses Hindus of Uttar Pradesh to hide its terror face, and when it fails, they use false flag attacks against Amarnath Yatris.”
Meanwhile, as three of the 28 injured are still battling for their lives in the hospital, a pall of gloom has landed on the entire country. In fact, a general strike is being observed in Jammu to mourn and protest the killing of innocent pilgrims. Internet services have also been snapped, especially in Hindu areas as precautionary measures to prevent the spreading of rumours on social media platforms.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for an emergency meeting of her cabinet to review the security situation across the state in the backdrop of the terror strike. She directed the security forces, including the J&K police to act swiftly and arrest the perpetrators to send out a strong message to the anti-social elements regarding the state's intentions of culling the terror forces.
In a statement, she said, "Amarnath pilgrims were esteemed guests of Kashmir and perpetrators of crime have done a death blow to the ethos and culture of the state”.
Meanwhile, police forces rue that the bus was at the wrong time at the wrong place. Before the start of the 40-day pilgrimage, the forces had clearly stated no vehicle carrying pilgrims would be allowed to cross the Jawahar Tunnel after 3.30 pm. "This has been done so that the yatris reach the Baltal base camp in seven hours from the tunnel and they don’t have to make a night halt midway," they had said. This would ensure that no one travels after nightfall or made a mid-way halt. The officials also said they would be investigating how the bus was plying in the "most vulnerable" stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar highway at that time of night. The attack is said to have taken place at around 8:15 pm.
