Amarnath Yatra Attacks 2014 – Gallery 1
The torching of 100+ tents setup and used by Hindu pilgrims has caused clashes with security forces between various communities. The Amarnath cave temple is one of the most sacred and holy pilgrimages for Hindus in the world. Amarnath is located in Pahalgam, which is in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Over 300,000 too 600,000 Hindu pilgrims visit the isolated temple annually and consists of a long 5-day hike in the northern mountains of the Himalayan region. However, over the last few years the total number of Hindu pilgrims to Amarnath has significantly dropped due to increased fears of violent attacks from Islamist extremist groups. In 2000, Hindu pilgrims were attacked by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (a Pakistan-based Islamist terrorist group) on their journey to Amarnath temple where 30+ Yatris (people participating in the spiritual journey) were killed.
Although majority of English Media giants in India avoided covering the attacks, local reports from Baltal in J&K said 6 people have been arrested for causing the violence. Reports also suggest that the main reason for the attack on Hindu pilgrims began when a Hindu cook and a local Pony owner Muslim got in a dispute and then the local Pony owner came back with many others from the local community.
Due to the anti-Hindu tension, security forces did not allow passage of Hindu pilgrims to Baltal and lodged the pilgrims at the Manigam transit camp in Ganderbal on the remainder of Friday. However, the pilgrimage route was re-opened Saturday July 19th.
More pictures tweeted and sent from the Amarnath Temple pilgrimage camp.
Amarnath Yatra Attacks 2014 – Gallery 2
Amarnath Yatra Attacks 2014 – Gallery 3
sickening, indian state news hardly covering this either.
I condemn this attack and register my protest. The security must be tighten up and culprits should be immediately booked. An all India protest is required.