Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 17: In a significant security measure, the J&K administration has declared the entire Amarnath Yatra route a ‘no flying zone’ for the period of pilgrimage this year.
Ahead of the beginning of the pilgrimage, the Union Territory’s Home department, which is under direct control of Lieutenant Governor, has declared all the routes of Amarnath Yatra as ‘no flying zone’ including both Pahalgam axis & Baltal axis.
The restriction applies to all types of aerial devices including UAVs, drones, and balloons.
After Home department’s directive, the authorities, in a separate notice, said that helicopter services wouldn’t be available for Yatris this year.
Citing the ‘no flying zone’ directive, the authorities said that pilgrims can reach the Shrine through foot or avail services of Ponies and Palkis.
These restrictions would be applicable from July 01 to August 10. The move comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs, advised the J & K government to do so.
According to the Home Department’s order, these restrictions, however, shall not apply to cases of medical evacuation, disaster management, or surveillance operations conducted by security forces.
A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP for such exceptions will be issued subsequently, the order states.
The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence from July 03 and culminate on August 09.
In view of the Pahalgam attack, additional security measures have been undertaken this year for peaceful conduct of the Yatra. As many as 580 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) are being deployed for the safety of the pilgrims. (KNO)
