Amarnath Yatra Begins July 3: Army Installs Anti-Drone Systems, Forces on High Alert

With the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have stepped up preparations across the pilgrimage routes, conducting anti-terror mock drills, deploying specialised rescue teams, and strengthening surveillance measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Security grid strengthened across Yatra route

In Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with Central paramilitary forces, conducted an anti-terror mock drill at the newly built Yatri Nivas, Shri Prem Garg Bhawan, at the Pathan Chowk Base Camp on Tuesday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir VK Birdi said security preparations were being refined across all districts associated with the pilgrimage.

"Police, jawans, Central paramilitary forces, and all stakeholders together conducted mock drills to face any contingency situations. Mock drills are being conducted in all Yatra districts," IGP Birdi said.

He said security personnel would remain deployed round the clock and highlighted the measures being taken along the pilgrimage routes, particularly in difficult terrain.

"Our security apparatus will remain deployed both day and night. A security grid is deployed for the management of convoys of the pilgrims. As the yatra travels through rugged & high-altitude areas as well, NDAM experts, along with District Disaster Management Committees, conduct a table-top exercise here. Mountain rescue teams of the J&K Police and other paramilitary forces are deployed in vulnerable areas to respond to any contingencies," he added.

Banihal emerges as key logistics and transit hub

In Ramban district, the CRPF has established a major logistics and security facility at Lambar Ground in Banihal, which serves as a crucial exchange point for pilgrims travelling via the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

Manish Bamola, Commandant of the 166 Battalion of the CRPF, said the camp plays a vital role in coordinating pilgrim movement and security operations.

"The primary function here involves the convoy exchange process; this is the designated exchange point where convoys from Pahalgam and Baltal meet the incoming parties from Jammu, facilitating the handover between the J&K contingents... The Lambar Ground camp spans approximately 17 acres. It includes accommodation for security forces and hosts 22 'langars' (community kitchens), while the State govt has arranged lodging for the pilgrims," Bamola told ANI.

He said strict movement regulations were in place, including restrictions on night travel.

"The cut-off time of this camp is 3 PM, after which no pilgrim or tourist is permitted to proceed further at night... Lambar Ground can accommodate around 1,500 people... we have additional facilities, such as the transit centre, bringing the total capacity in Banihal to approximately 2,500 people," he noted.

Anti-drone measures, inter-agency coordination in focus

Bamola said multiple security agencies had been integrated into the overall security architecture for the pilgrimage.

"The J&K Police and CRPF are working together. Army has also installed anti-drone systems and air defence capabilities," the Commandant added.

The 57-day Amarnath Yatra will commence simultaneously on July 3 from the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

The pilgrimage leads devotees to the Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of about 3,880 metres in south Kashmir, where worshippers pay obeisance to the naturally formed ice Shivling, revered as a symbol of Lord Shiva.

This year's yatra will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

(With inputs from ANI)