Punjab puts border areas on high alert 

In the wake of Jammu and Kashmir government’s advisory to the Amarnath pilgrims to cut short their stay in the Valley, the Punjab government has sounded high alert on the international and inter-state borders.

Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Friday also directed the Pathankot district administration to make all arrangements to ensure the safe return of Amarnath Yatris from the bordering state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The border areas have been put on high alert in view of the intelligence inputs of terror threats in Kashmir, an official spokesperson of the Punjab government informed.

The Chief Minister has asked the various departments in the state, particularly in Pathankot, to facilitate the smooth movement of the Yatris and tourists shifting out the Kashmir valley following the advisory, issued amid the terror intelligence reports.

The Chief Minister had directed the DC to coordinate the operations for the safety of the Yatris once they cross the border into Punjab. He has also asked all concerned departments to cooperate with the district administration in this regard.

The Chief Minister has also ordered the Punjab Police to stay on high alert to check any infiltration of terrorists from Kashmir into the state. The DGP has been asked to coordinate with his counterpart in J&K to ensure that the bordering areas are not under any threat in view of the latest intelligence reports on terror.

Amarinder Singh has asked for security to be beefed up at all vital installations in the state in view of the terror threat in the neighbouring state. All communications and movement between the two states should be strictly monitored round the clock, he has further ordered.

The Chief Minister himself is taking regular updates on the situation at the border, said the spokesperson.