Srinagar, Jun 17: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Tuesday directed the security top brass to ensure safe and incident free forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, slated to commence on July 3.
Chairing a high-level review meeting here to finalize the security plan for the upcoming 38-day annual pilgrimage, the Union Home Secretary, called on the officers to put foolproof security measures in place for the safety of the pilgrims.
Sources said that senior officials from J&K Police, Army, paramilitary forces, including CRPF, SSB, ITBP BSF, and intelligence agencies attended the meeting.
The participants included J&K Chief Secretary, Atal Duloo, Director General of J&K Police, Nalin Prabhat, Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director Generals of Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Railway Protection Force (RPF), Additional Director Generals of Central Reserve Police Force and BSF. Joint Director Intelligence Bureau, Principal Home Secretary Kashmir, Northern Command GOC 15 Corps, GOCs pf 16 and 9 Corps, Additional Director General (ADG) CID, Special Director Intelligence Bureau, Chairman Railway Board, IG BSF Jammu, Joint Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh, ADG ITBP, Special DG Coordination, GM Northern Railway, IG NIA, IG CRPF, CEO Shrine Board, IGP Kashmir, IGP Jammu, Div Com Kashmir and Div Com Jammu.
Sources said that the Union Home Secretary reviewed the security preparedness and held deliberations about the prevailing security scenario in J&K. The meeting discussed detailed security and logistical assessment for the pilgrimage, which attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country.
The meeting, sources said, dwelt upon every aspect – from route security, communication systems, to medical and disaster preparedness. “Emphasis was laid on ensuring that all necessary arrangements should be put in place in close coordination with the J&K administration and security forces. The officials discussed multi-tier security, enhanced intelligence coordination, and uninterrupted logistical support, they added.
Sources said that the Union Home Secretary was informed that a close monitoring mechanism has been activated to respond swiftly to any emerging situation and the intelligence grid is functioning proactively, and the joint security drills, surveillance along the yatra routes have already begun. “The vulnerable points have been identified. Drone surveillance, night patrolling, and road-opening parties have increased the vigil,” the Home Secretary was told.
He was informed that the arrangements for RFID tracking of yatris, real-time weather alerts, emergency evacuation protocols, and dedicated health camps have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra. A multi-layer security grid, including both ground forces and aerial surveillance, would be activated ahead of the yatra.
This year’s Amarnath Yatra is taking place in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 persons, mostly tourists dead. The authorities are taking no chances with the security arrangements being put in place for the Yatra.
A multi-layered security manned by the Army, CAPFs and the J&K Police is already in place at the cave shrine, base camps and transit camps in addition to the route right from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu (starting point) for escorted convoys carrying the pilgrims to Baltal and Pahalgam.
Authorities have made arrangements for real-time weather alerts, emergency evacuation protocols, and dedicated health camps to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra. (KNO)
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