Arshad Farooq
Srinagar, May 21: This year’s Amarnath Yatra will see one of the tightest security arrangements ever, with additional forces deployment planned to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The 38-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir begins on July 3.
The move comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 innocent lives — 25 tourists and one local.
A senior official from the security establishment said that the Centre is likely to deploy extra companies of paramilitary forces, including the CRPF, SSB, ITBP, and BSF. “A detailed security plan is being worked out. Vulnerable areas, especially around Pahalgam and Baltal — the two main base camps — have been identified by the army and are being fortified,” the official said.
The official added that commandos will also be deployed at the cave shrine, located at an altitude of nearly 13,000 feet. The trek to the shrine is 45 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal. While the Baltal route is shorter, it is steeper and more challenging.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police will play a key role in the security grid. A senior police officer said, “CCTV cameras will be installed along the Jammu-Pathankot-Srinagar highway, base camps, and community halls where pilgrims stay. Drones will be used for aerial surveillance to detect any threats in advance.”
Quick response teams of the CRPF and local police will be stationed at critical locations. Security arrangements will also include sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads, ambulances, vehicle recovery units, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for pilgrims to track their movement and ensure their safety.
Officials say these measures aim to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage for the thousands of devotees expected to participate in the Amarnath Yatra this year.
