Police intensify security preparations ahead of Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, Jun 15: Anantnag Police have intensified anti-sabotage operations and area domination exercises across the district ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on July 3, in a bid to ensure a safe and incident-free pilgrimage.

Specialised teams are carrying out extensive anti-sabotage checks along the entire Yatra route from Khanabal to Pahalgam, with a focus on critical locations, transit points, lodgement centres, parking areas and other vulnerable spots.

The security operations involve the use of advanced surveillance equipment, modern detection systems, trained K9 squads, bomb detection and disposal teams, and technical surveillance units to thoroughly sanitise the route and adjoining areas.

Particular attention is being paid to vehicle inspections, including checks of abandoned and unattended vehicles, to prevent any potential security threats. Search and sanitisation drives are also being conducted at railway stations, railway tracks, bridges, culverts, public utility installations and other critical infrastructure.

Authorities have established a multi-layered security grid along the Pahalgam route, with the district divided into 19 security zones. Senior officers have been assigned specific sectors to ensure effective monitoring and swift response.

As part of the security arrangements, 140 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed along the route from Anantnag to the holy cave shrine. The deployment is being supplemented by other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the larger security plan approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Specialised units of Jammu and Kashmir Police, including Markhor teams, Snow Leopards, the Special Operations Group (SOG), Mobile Rescue Teams (MRTs) and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), have been stationed at strategic locations.

Security infrastructure has also been strengthened with the installation of 28 watchtowers and bunkers along the route, double the number deployed last year. More than 400 CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition capabilities have been installed, with real-time monitoring being carried out through integrated control rooms.

Drones, anti-drone systems, night-vision devices, jammers and sniper teams have also been deployed at key locations. Road Opening Parties (ROPs), bomb disposal squads, explosive detectors, metal detectors, X-ray baggage screening systems and K9 units are being used for convoy protection and area clearance operations.

Recent mock drills conducted at locations, including the Nunwan Base Camp, tested emergency response mechanisms, evacuation procedures, crisis management capabilities and inter-agency coordination. The exercises simulated various scenarios, including security threats, medical emergencies and crowd management challenges.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure, reviewed the security arrangements and said that all agencies are fully prepared to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Senior officers are supervising operations round-the-clock and continuously reviewing security protocols.

The arrangements are in line with directives issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which has emphasised technology-driven surveillance, proactive threat assessment and close coordination among the Army, CAPFs, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies.

Anantnag Police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity, object or unattended vehicle to the nearest police station.

Officials said the elaborate security measures are aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure and hassle-free pilgrimage while maintaining the highest standards of safety along the Pahalgam route to the holy cave shrine.