No Army present, say locals; CRPF camp about 5 km from Pahalgam meadow

PAHALGAM: Army deployment at the tourist destination of Pahalgam is heavy during the Amarnath Yatra but there is no Army presence there otherwise, according to locals at the tourist spot. Hoteliers say that during the yatra tourists are allowed at the tourist resort only during certain hours and Baisaran meadow is closed to all.

The only security personnel nearby are the CRPF, in a camp near Hotel Hill Park at the base of the meadow about 5 km from where the terror attack took place. The meadow lacks CCTV cover.

During the yatra the authorities also house paramilitary force personnel in the hotels. In Pahalgam market Sajad Ahmad, who owns 15 horses, said, “After the Amarnath yatra concludes, the Army is removed from the meadow.”

A large number of troops were present in the meadow on Thursday and aerial reconnaissance was being done following Tuesday’s terror attack. Senior police officers and security officials visited the meadow as combing operations continued in the deeply forested area.