Srinagar, Apr 13: After a gap of two years, the annual Hindu pilgrimage Amarnath Yatra is all set to start on June 30. The Union Home Secretary accompanied by the Director of the Intelligence Bureau are arriving Srinagar on Thursday for a two-day visit to review all arrangements put in place.

An official said that Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and Director Intelligence Bureau Arvind Kumar are arriving Srinagar to review security arrangements ahead of the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine.

The visit gains significance as in the last month, many non-locals have been targeted by militants after which the Ministry of Home Affairs asked security agencies operating in J&K to enhance militancy operations. Following this, checkpoints and search operations were stepped up, especially in Southern Kashmir.

Kashmir is likely to witness the highest footfall of pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine this year, officials said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had said that efforts are being made to create modern facilities for devotees within a stipulated time frame for the pleasant divine experience of the Amarnath Yatra.

Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh has also stated that Manoj Sinha is personally supervising the arrangements being made for the Amarnath Yatra. We’re confident that under his leadership, it (Yatra) will be completed successfully, Dr Jitendra said. kdc