Air pistol recovered at Amarnath Yatra camp in J&K base

Srinagar: Security forces today recovered an air pistol at Baltal base camp of the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, which was reportedly thrown inside a toilet by an unidentified person. Sudhir Kumar, spokesman of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), told IANS that some women ‘yatris’ (pilgrims) raised an alarm after an unidentified person entered the ladies toilet in Baltal camp and threw an air pistol inside. [caption id=“attachment_364126” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Reuters”]  [/caption] “The air pistol has been recovered from the ladies toilet and the toilet is located before the gate where extensive frisking of the pilgrims is done before they are allowed to move towards the cave shrine. We are trying to trace the person who abandoned the pistol,” Kumar said. Asked whether the air pistol could cause grievous injury if used for subversive activities, a senior state police officer said, “Yes, it could result in serious injury if used from close range.” The annual Amarnath Yatra which started here on 25 June has been proceeding smoothly so far with over 120,000 pilgrims having taken the glimpse of the holy ice lingam inside the 13,000-foot altitude Himalayan cave. The yatra will conclude on 2 August coinciding with the Hindu festival of Shravan Purnima. IANS