Security Tightened Across J&K Ahead of Annual Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, June 17: Security has been significantly strengthened across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, with authorities putting in place a multi-layered security grid, conducting mock drills and intensifying surveillance to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage beginning early next month.

Security forces, police and the civil administration have activated comprehensive arrangements covering transit routes, base camps, railway infrastructure, lodgement centres and other critical installations linked to the yatra.

Along the traditional Pahalgam route, police have intensified anti-sabotage checks, area domination exercises and sanitisation drives from Khanabal to Pahalgam. The operations cover transit points, parking areas, accommodation centres and other vulnerable locations, with support from bomb disposal squads, sniffer dog units and technical surveillance teams.

Security personnel are also carrying out thorough inspections of vehicles, including abandoned and unattended ones, while surveillance has been enhanced in forest areas and along key stretches of the pilgrimage route to prevent any security breach.

To strengthen identification and monitoring, authorities have introduced QR code-based verification for service providers associated with the yatra, including pony operators and other workers.

As part of preparedness measures, security forces conducted a mock drill at the Chichi Mata Temple in Samba district to assess response capabilities in the event of a terror attack or other emergency. The exercise involved multiple agencies and focused on evacuation procedures, emergency response and crowd management.

Security arrangements have also been reviewed at railway stations, bridges, culverts and other vital infrastructure across several districts, while regular searches and area sanitisation drives are continuing as preventive measures.

To improve administrative coordination during the pilgrimage, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has temporarily deputed 63 officers from various departments to oversee logistics, pilgrim facilities, inter-departmental coordination and other operational requirements.

Authorities have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity or unattended objects to security agencies as preparations for the annual pilgrimage gather momentum. (Agencies)