Bareilly: A day ago, kanwariyas (pilgrims) were bowled over by bike rides, t-shirts with printed images of prime minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Today, home-grown Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist group has issued a threat to the pilgrims of the annual Kanwar Yatra.

A purported commander of the terror group has said in a letter that if the kanwariyas pass through Muslim dominated areas in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, the railway station in the city would be blown up, reports stated.

The letter was reportedly written by Munne Khan, known as Mullah, to Bareilly railway station superintendent Satyaveer Singh. Mullah is believed to be the area commander of the IM.

Security has been arranged inside and around the railway station after the letter was received. According to reports, police in plain clothes have also been stationed there.

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

Station house officer of the Government Railway Police, Krishna Avtar reportedly said that they are keeping a close eye on every person visiting the railway station.

Bareilly has a history of fights between the two communities during the time of Kanwar Yatra.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch holy waters of the Ganges river.