Srinagar, Jun 26: As the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025 draws closer, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has announced the deployment of around 30 trained personnel from its Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims undertaking the arduous pilgrimage through high-altitude terrain. The Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3.
The MRTs, comprising CRPF personnel with advanced training in mountain rescue, will operate along the Baltal axis, one of the two primary routes leading to the Amarnath cave shrine. “These teams will function under the Srinagar Sector of CRPF and in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) of Jammu and Kashmir,”
DIG and Joint Nodal Officer Sudhir Kumar confirmed the development and underlined the importance of the MRTs in enhancing the security and support system for pilgrims.
“Their presence will not only aid those facing physical difficulties on the route but will also allow quick and coordinated rescue efforts in case of flash floods, landslides, or other natural disasters,” DIG CRPF Srinagar Sector told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
Last year, the MRTs assisted over 13,000 pilgrims, playing a crucial role in providing timely relief in difficult terrain. Their exemplary service during the 2024 Yatra has led to even greater emphasis on specialized selection and advanced training of CRPF personnel for the current year.
To prepare for potential challenges, refresher capsule courses and mock drills are being conducted regularly in Baltal and adjoining high-altitude zones. These exercises simulate rescue operations and emergency scenarios to ensure operational readiness.
Officials said that many of the MRT members have undergone specialized mountain rescue training with other paramilitary and disaster-response forces, making them highly skilled in navigating treacherous paths and performing high-risk extractions when required.
“The CRPF’s contribution forms a critical part of India’s broader disaster management framework, especially in the context of high-footfall religious events like the Amarnath Yatra. Their deployment this year reinforces the administration’s commitment to a safe, smooth, and incident-free pilgrimage experience for the lakhs of yatris expected to visit the holy shrine,” Sudhir Kumar said. [KNT]
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