Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday to assess security preparations for the upcoming 52-day Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9. The review comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, prompting authorities to implement stringent security measures.
Chairing a meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the Home Secretary is deliberating on the overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, with a specific focus on the Amarnath Yatra. Key officials in attendance include J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, GoC of the Army’s Srinagar-headquartered 15 Corps, Lt. General Prashant Srivastava, ADG (CID) Nitish Kumar, senior officers from CAPFs, and other intelligence agencies.
A multi-layered security apparatus, comprising the Army, CAPFs, and J&K Police, has been deployed along the pilgrimage routes, at base camps, transit camps, and the holy cave shrine itself. Security escorts for convoys transporting pilgrims will be in place from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, the starting point for the journey to Baltal and Pahalgam.
To ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage, authorities have implemented advanced measures such as RFID tracking of pilgrims, real-time weather alerts, and emergency evacuation protocols. Dedicated health camps have also been established along the routes. Officials emphasized the complete synergy among the Army, CAPFs, and local police, who are working collaboratively to address every minute detail of the security arrangements.
Pilgrims undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra to the holy cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters, via two routes: the longer traditional Pahalgam route (Anantnag district), which takes three days, or the shorter Baltal route (Ganderbal district), allowing same-day return after darshan. The cave shrine is renowned for its ice stalagmite formation, believed by devotees to symbolize the mythical powers of Lord Shiva, which naturally waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
