J&K on alert ahead of Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, Jun 24: Authorities have beefed up security in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the 57-day annual Amarnath Yatra, slated to commence on July 3, with the Union Territory placed on maximum alert to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
According to the details available, authorities have rolled out an extensive security, surveillance and traffic management plan to ensure that the annual yatra passes off peacefully.
The yatra to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine, nestled in Himalayas in South Kashmir will conclude on August 28. This year’s Yatra will be longer than last year’s duration of around 38 days.
Officials said that security agencies have intensified preparations across the Union Territory to manage the expected movement of thousands of pilgrims through the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.
They said specialised security teams have been deployed while comprehensive fire safety audits of hotels, lodges and guest houses accommodating pilgrims have been conducted. Authorities have also introduced QR-based digital identification for service providers associated with the pilgrimage.
The security grid has been further strengthened through the installation of additional CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition capabilities and advanced surveillance systems at key locations along the Yatra routes.
A series of mock drills and coordination exercises have been conducted in recent days to test emergency response mechanisms and inter-agency coordination.
At Banihal Railway Station, a joint mock drill involving the Indian Army, J&K Police, GRPF, RPF, CRPF, SDRF and health officials assessed preparedness for potential emergencies during the pilgrimage.
National Security Guard (NSG) commandos and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel also conducted a mock drill at Bhagwati Nagar, the main base camp for pilgrims in Jammu.
In Poonch district, SDRF, Civil Defence, CRPF, Army and district police carried out an exercise at the Poonch River to evaluate response capabilities for emergencies that could arise during the monsoon season and the Shri Buddha Amarnath Yatra.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure chaired a briefing of zonal and sector officers deployed for Yatra duties, directing them to maintain strict adherence to standard operating procedures and ensure close coordination with all departments.
Security review meetings have also been held in Samba, while Jammu Municipal Corporation Commissioner Devansh Yadav reviewed civic arrangements at Purani Mandi. A tenant verification drive has been launched in Jammu and security has been intensified at the Jammu Bus Stand.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Police Headquarters issued a detailed advisory regulating the movement of convoy and non-convoy vehicles during the Yatra period.
According to the advisory, Yatra convoys from Jammu towards Baltal will leave at 4 am, cross Banihal by 10 am and proceed from Ganderbal towards Baltal by 5 pm. Convoys towards Pahalgam will depart Jammu at 4.15 am and cross Banihal by 10.45 am.
For returning convoys, vehicles from Baltal will move towards Jammu from 6 am, while those from Pahalgam will begin at 6 am and 6.30 am.
Authorities have also imposed cut-off timings for non-convoy vehicles. The last vehicle from Jammu towards the Valley via the Navyug Tunnel will be allowed at 3 pm, while traffic from Mir Bazar towards Anantnag will stop at 4 pm. Similar restrictions have been imposed at Pantha Chowk, Sumbal, Wayil, Narbal and other key junctions along the Yatra routes.
For vehicles travelling from Jammu towards Kashmir Valley, cut-off timings have been fixed at Nagrota (12 noon), Jakheni-Udhampur (1 pm), Chanderkote (2 pm) and Banihal (3 pm).
Officials said the restrictions are aimed at ensuring the safe movement of Yatra convoys and minimising congestion along the national highway and pilgrimage routes. They urged commuters to follow traffic advisories and cooperate with security personnel during the pilgrimage period. (KNO)