Exceptional security arrangements ahead of 43-day-long Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir

Security arrangements have been put in place for a secure and smooth Yatra for the devotees, who will visit the holy cave of Amarnath in a large number for pilgrimage this year.

The 43-day-long pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine is scheduled to start on June 30 on the twin routes - the traditional 48-km Nunwan in south Kashmir's Pahalgam and the 14-km shorter Baltal in central Kashmir's Ganderbal. The Yatra is being held after a gap of two years amid the COVID pandemic.

All the peaks leading to the holy cave from Pahalgam and Baltal have been covered and security arrangements have been made. Security forces have set temporary posts on these peaks.

“Sanitisation has been carried out and round-the-clock vigil is being maintained,” a senior Army officer told the Free press journal adding that movement is being monitored round the clock.

“The number of security personnel deployed on the ground for the smooth conduct of the yatra is three or four times more than the previous years. The endeavour of the administration or the security forces was to ensure a safe and secure Yatra," said an official.

Keeping in view of the threat, special security checkpoints and Bunkers have been set up along the entire yatra route while quick reaction teams have been deployed near the yatra base camps at different locations to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

The base camps and other vital transit points including refreshment counters and resting places have been kept under close watch with the help of drone cameras to record any suspected movement of miscreants.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) on Monday visited Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar and reviewed arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims.

"The security forces are alert and have made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Yatra, besides, we have endeavoured to make the best arrangements this year," the Governor added.