Authorities have implemented extensive security measures for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which commences on July 3rd and concludes on August 9th. The pilgrimage, reduced to 38 days this year, will see the deployment of high-tech gadgetry and increased personnel to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Key Security Enhancements
- Facial Recognition Systems (FRS): For the first time, FRS have been installed at strategic locations along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. These systems, fed with images of active terrorists and suspected Overground Workers (OGWs), provide real-time alerts if any blacklisted individual is detected. This technology has already led to the arrest of two OGWs on June 19th.
- “No Fly Zones”: The entire Yatra route within the Kashmir valley has been declared a “no fly zone” from July 1st to August 10th, banning the use of UAVs and drones.
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tagging: All vehicles and individual pilgrims will be tagged with RFID technology to monitor their movement along the routes.
- Comprehensive CCTV Surveillance: The entire route from Jammu to the holy cave shrine is under CCTV surveillance.
- Three-Tier Security Blanket: Base camps are secured with a three-tier security system.
- Increased Personnel Deployment: A significant number of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed for static guard duty along the Jammu-Srinagar highway and at vulnerable spots on link roads.
- Random Vehicle Checks: Security forces are conducting random vehicle checks from dawn till late at night to prevent any security breaches.
