Srinagar, June 27: From hi-tech CCTV cameras to mountain rescue teams and from jammers to specially-trained sniffer dogs, security forces have mobilized all tech and human resources to secure the 38-day pilgrimage.
Nearly 581 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed for the yatra. This is in addition to the local police, army, and other forces deployed on the ground for different counter-terror and internal security duties.
Of which, more than 180 companies of CAPS have been deployed in the Jammu region, which is the first base camp for yatris before embarking on pilgrimage to the Himalayas in Kashmir
“The administration is ready. We are committed to ensuring a successful yatra this year. Jammu and Kashmir Police has made multi-tier security arrangements for the yatra,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti told reporters here.
Tuti reviewed the yatra security along with the divisional commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, in Jammu today. “Just like we have been providing security in previous years, this year, even better arrangements are being made, whether in terms of the number of paramilitary forces, deployment in sensitive areas, or CCTV surveillance. Compared to earlier, more vigilant and multi-layered security is being ensured,” he said.
The Amarnath cave is accessible from two routes in the Kashmir Valley. The 46-km Pahalgam trek is an ancient route covered in five days. The new 14-kilometre Baltal-Holy cave route is now preferred by the pilgrims since the journey can be completed in a day.
Security forces have been deployed to secure the National Highway all along from Lakhanpur to Banihal. “From road opening parties to CCTV cameras, everything has been set up.. There was no road opening party arrangement from Lakhanpur to Jammu last year, but this year there will be ROP here as well,” Tuti said.
Sources said for the first time, jammers will be installed to protect the Yatra convoy during its movement, which will be escorted by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
This year, all routes to the Amarnath cave shrine have been declared a “no-fly zone”. Authroties have banned all aviation platforms, including drones and balloons, for the duration of the yatra. This year, even the helicopter service will not be available due to security reasons.
Central Reserve Police Force will be deploying around 30 trained personnel from its Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) to ensure the safety and support of pilgrims undertaking the high-altitude pilgrimage, sources said.