45 Special Mountain Rescue Teams Deployed Along Amarnath Yatra Routes

 Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagged off 45 mountain rescue teams for deployment along the twin routes of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

These teams, comprising personnel from the J&K Police, State and National Disaster Response Forces, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Border Security Force, will be stationed at 21 strategic locations leading to the revered cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas.

Officials said the rescue teams are specially trained to assist pilgrims and respond effectively to emergencies in the challenging terrain. SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir emphasised that, as in previous years, the teams will remain on standby to provide essential support to devotees. He highlighted the importance of their role in ensuring safety, noting that in the event of any unforeseen situation, the teams are fully equipped to respond swiftly.

Mir also underlined that additional efforts have been made this year to upgrade equipment and improve facilities, enabling personnel to deliver better services throughout the pilgrimage.

As part of intensified preparations, authorities have conducted mock drills in several districts of the Kashmir Valley, including Pulwama and Kulgam, to assess emergency response, coordination among agencies, and overall security readiness. The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28.

In parallel, security has been significantly strengthened with the planned deployment of advanced surveillance and screening technologies. These include portable RCIED jammers, metal detectors, explosive and liquid explosive detectors, CCTV systems, X-ray baggage scanners, vehicle-mounted inspection systems, and other specialised equipment aimed at ensuring comprehensive monitoring at camps and sensitive locations.

A high-level delegation from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is expected to visit J&K on June 20 and 21 to conduct an on-ground review of the security and logistical arrangements. The delegation will include senior officials from key central armed police forces and intelligence agencies and will hold review meetings in both Jammu and Srinagar with civil administration, security forces, and other stakeholders.

The review will focus on the multi-layered security grid extending from Lakhanpur, the gateway to J&K from Punjab, to the Amarnath cave shrine, covering highways, transit points, base camps, and accommodation facilities. Nearly 90 percent of the required security deployment has already been completed, with the remainder expected to be in place shortly. Authorities have approved the deployment of 670 companies of paramilitary forces, with a significant presence in the Kashmir Valley.

Extensive arrangements are being finalised along the two recognised routes — the traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal districts. Security and logistical measures include convoy protection, route surveillance, access control, anti-sabotage checks, and weather contingency planning.

In addition, authorities are focusing on essential services such as accommodation, healthcare, sanitation, water supply, transport, and communication systems to manage the expected surge in pilgrim numbers.

Officials noted that the annual Amarnath Yatra demands meticulous coordination among multiple agencies due to the high altitude, unpredictable weather conditions, and large-scale participation. With less than three weeks remaining, the upcoming MHA review is expected to provide a final boost to preparedness and ensure a safe, smooth, and well-managed pilgrimage for all devotees. 

Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Thursday visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari to review the security situation and operational preparedness along the traditional Amarnath Yatra route ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

A defence spokesperson said the Army Commander undertook a comprehensive assessment of the security arrangements and preparedness measures in place to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage. He was briefed on the prevailing security scenario, deployment plans, coordination mechanisms among agencies, and steps being taken to safeguard pilgrims.

The statement noted that the Indian Army remains fully committed to ensuring a secure pilgrimage through close coordination with all stakeholders, vigilant monitoring, and robust operational preparedness.