20 July, 2001: On this day, 13 persons were killed and 17 got injured in a terrorist attack on pilgrim night camp at Sheshnag on the track to holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji. The attack was carried out by two terrorists in the guise of Sadhus.They belonged to Al-Umar terrorist group.

 

 

In a pre- dawn attack, terrorists pierced layers of security and exploded two Improvised Explosive Devices. Six pilgrims and two police officers were amongst the dead.

 

 

The then IGP Kashmir, A.K Bhan while narrating the sequence of events later said, two unidentified terrorists had taken shelter in the mazdoor sarai (labourer's inn) nearby. He explained, "there was a grenade blast at 1 AM in one of the tents.

 

 

The yatris were sleeping, policemen arrived at the tent immediately and they too were fired upon killing DSP Praveen Kumar on the spot. Within half an hour, there was another grenade attack in which more people were injured. But most of the casualties happened in the first attack". An assault rifle and four magazines and other ammunition was also recovered from the slain terrorist, disguised as Sadhu.

 

 

Pertinent to mention here that since the advent of terrorism in Kashmir Valley, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has been targeted so many times by Pakistani sponsored terrorist groups. Many pilgrims have lost their lives in these attacks but still every year, lakhs of devotees irrespective of these attacks undertake Shri Amarnath Yatra.