Multi-layered security arrangements planned for Amarnath Yatra, 670 CAPF companies approved

Srinagar, May 29: The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the deployment of 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, officials said.

The 57-day yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, with officials stating that the deployment process across Jammu and Kashmir will be completed by June 25.

Officials said the security blueprint has been finalised in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and senior security agencies, amid expectations of heavy pilgrim turnout from different parts of the country.

The extensive CAPF deployment will span from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, up to the Amarnath cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas. The security grid will cover the twin pilgrimage routes of Baltal and Pahalgam, base camps at Nunwan and Baltal, Yatri Niwas Jammu, and vulnerable stretches along the Jammu-Srinagar and Pathankot-Jammu national highways.

Officials said additional paramilitary personnel will begin arriving in the Union Territory shortly, while Army troops will be positioned at strategic locations along the yatra axis and dominating heights surrounding the cave shrine.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police will play a central role in maintaining security and regulating pilgrim movement during the yatra. Officials said the arrangements are being calibrated to ensure that routine anti-terror operations continue without disruption.

Security measures are also being intensified along the Jammu-Srinagar railway corridor, particularly across Udhampur, Katra, Reasi, Banihal and Qazigund, as authorities expect a significant number of pilgrims to travel through rail services, including Vande Bharat trains.

Officials said security forces will conduct regular area domination exercises, highway sanitisation, patrolling and Road Opening Party operations along the national highway and pilgrimage tracks throughout the yatra period.

More than 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered for this year’s pilgrimage since the registration process commenced on April 15 through designated bank branches across the country, officials added. (with inputs from agencies)