File image of pilgrims carrying kanwars | Photo Credit: PTI

Bareilly: Home-grown Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist group has issued a warning for the annual Kanwar Yatra. A purported commander of the terror group has said in a letter that if kanwarias (pilgrims) pass through Muslim-dominated areas in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, then the railway station in the city would be blown up.

The letter was written by Munne Khan, alias 'Mullah', who is believed to be the area commander of the IM. The letter was sent to Bareilly railway station superintendent Satyaveer Singh.

He warned in the letter that the station would be blown up “if kanwarias pass through Muslim-dominated areas in the city”.

Following the receipt of the threat letter, security has been inside and around the railway station. It was reported that cops in plain clothes have also been stationed there.

"I, area commander of IM, want to inform station superintendent that if kanwarias pass through the Muslim-dominated areas, we will explode the railway station. You better inform the police and administration," the IM terrorist warned in the letter.

Reacting to the development, station house officer of the Government Railway Police, Bareilly, Krishna Avtar said, "We are keeping a close eye on each and every person visiting station."

Bareilly has a history of witnessing scuffles between the two communities during Kanwar Yatra.

Separately, in Muzaffarnagar, the police have deployed 200 CCTV cameras and 90 surveillance drones to ensure a smooth Kanwar Yatra. Other security measures have also been implemented, police said.

SSP Abhishek Yadav informed that teams of paramilitary forces and Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary have been pressed into action to secure the pilgrimage route.

During the annual Kanwar Yatra, devotees of Lord Shiva, known as kanwarias, travel to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to bring holy waters of the Ganga river. The annual pilgrimage takes place during the auspicious Hindu month of Shravan.