Terror strike possible: Intelligence

The security establishment has increased vigil in bordering areas of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit early next month amid intelligence reports that more than 70 terrorists were waiting to sneak into the Valley.

The security establishment has increased vigil in bordering areas of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit early next month amid intelligence reports that more than 70 terrorists were waiting to sneak into the Valley.

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Government sources said there were intelligence inputs that the terrorists intended to go for a big strike coinciding with Obama’s visit to bring the focus back on Kashmir during the high-profile visit.

In March 2000, suspected Lashkar-e-Tayyeba terrorists gunned down 36 Sikhs in Chattisinghpora village in south Kashmir's Anantnag district during the visit of then President Bill Clinton.

Government sources said the Unified Headquarters in the state would on Saturday to discuss the overall security scenario in the state with focus on arrangements for Obama’s visit.

Omar Abdullah — who will chair the meeting — said the idea was to be “fully prepared”.

“When (former President) George W. Bush visited, nothing happened. It is only once when (former President) Bill Clinton visited that it (Chattisinghpora massacre) happened.”