Security breach at Vaishno Devi: Woman claiming to be ex-Delhi cop arrested with loaded pistol

The police said the license of the firearm found in the possession of the woman had expired a few years ago. (PTI/File)

A woman pilgrim from Delhi who claimed to be a retired police constable was arrested after a loaded pistol was recovered from her possession at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, officials said on Tuesday.

The woman, identified as Jyoti Gupta, was intercepted with the weapon and six rounds at a checkpoint near the 'Bhawan' (sanctum sanctorum) on the intervening night of March 14-15.

Officials said the license for the firearm had expired a few years ago. The police have registered an FIR and launched a probe into the matter.

In a similar incident, Sanjay Singh, a pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh, was booked after two cartridges were found in his bag near the Bhawan on Monday, the officials said.

The Mata Vaishno Devi temple, one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most revered Hindu shrines, is located atop the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district at an altitude of 1,500 meters.

Each year, around one crore devotees visit the cave temple, making offerings in the form of cash and precious metals worth crores of rupees.

The temple is managed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), which operates under the leadership of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Recently, social media influencer Orry and seven others were booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Their act evoked strong resentment with BJP and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators demanding stern action against the accused.

The police received a complaint on March 15 stating that guests at a hotel were found drinking on the premises, which is strictly prohibited due to the area’s proximity to the revered shrine.

Police said in a statement that the eight accused were booked for "violating the law of the land" and added a team was set up to nab them for "hurting the sentiments of people".