J&K: Tourists welcomed back to Valley, Guv lifts security advisory

In a major relief to all Kashmir tourists, the Jammu-Kashmir governor, Satya Pal Malik, on Monday, has directed that the Home Ministry's advisory asking tourists to leave the Valley be lifted immediately, according to ANI. The advisory will be done with effect from Thursday. The Governor had issued the above security advisory on August 2, curtailing the Amarnath Yatra, after intelligence inputs of terror threat backed by Pakistan Army in Kashmir. Governor Satya Pal Malik held a situation cum security review meeting on Monday with the advisors and the Chief Secretary, according to ANI.

J&K governor lifts security advisory

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J&K Govt issues security advisory

The Governor had issued the August 2 advisory hours after a joint press brief was held by Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon and J&K DGP Dilbag Singh in Srinagar. They had categorically stated that Pakistan Army and Pakistan is 'desperate to disrupt' the peace in Kashmir and that there was a 'massive threat of IEDs'. Sharing crucial intelligence reports, Army had revealed that the Pakistan Military and Islamabad have been backing terrorist outfits to cause disruption in the Kashmir valley. After the advisory, Yatris were airlifted out of Kashmir on a camp-wise basis. Furthermore, many of the yatris were moved via trains and buses out of the Valley.

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Events after security advisory

Prior to this move, an additional 25000 paramilitary personnel are being moved to the valley on August 2. This is in addition to the Centre's move to deploy 10,000 paramilitary troops in the Kashmir valley. MHA sources cited internal security assessment, training, and resting troops as the reason for deployment. Shortly afterwards, the Valley saw a complete clampdown in communication and detainment of several Kashmiri leaders for security reasons. This was followed by the unprecedented move by the parliament revoking Article 370 and 35 A. 

WATCH | J&K govt tells Amarnath Yatris to return following intel inputs of Pakistan Army-backed terror threats 

Current situation of Kashmir

Meanwhile, the Centre has stated that the situation in Kashmir is slowly being restored back to normalcy. Sources report that in Anantnag there has been almost 50% vehicular movement as per usual. Sources also report that 10-20% of the shops in the district have been opened. While traffic has been seen increasing in the Valley, public transport is still not functional, as informed by authorities. While landline connections have been restored completely, internet and cell connections too have been restored to most parts of the Valley, according to Kashmir administration, while economic activity too has picked up, as stated by authorities. Schools have also opened in the Valley and attendance has been gradually rising. The state administration has been giving regular reports about medical facilities functional in the Valley.

WATCH | Amarnath Yatris being airlifted camp-wise, after J&K govt cuts short yatra over Pakistan's terror plot