Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 30

Inspector General of Police (Security) Sujit Kumar on Tuesday inspected security arrangements at key Amarnath pilgrimage camps in central Kashmir, reviewing technology-driven surveillance systems and other measures introduced ahead of this year’s annual yatra.

Kumar visited the Baltal base camp and the transit camp at Manigam, where he assessed operational preparedness as authorities intensified final security reviews before the pilgrimage begins on July 3.

Police said security infrastructure at the camps had been significantly upgraded this year, with an emphasis on surveillance technology, multi-layered access control and coordination among various security agencies.

Among the measures introduced are joint CCTV control rooms for real-time monitoring, facial recognition cameras at strategic locations, a three-tier access control system and dedicated anti-sabotage teams tasked with carrying out regular security sweeps.

Authorities have also upgraded camp infrastructure, including dedicated security screening areas, macadamised approach roads, covered frisking zones and separate facilities for women pilgrims to facilitate smoother security checks.

Kumar directed officers to maintain the highest levels of vigilance throughout the yatra and said regular mock drills and coordinated exercises among the police, Central Armed Police Forces and other agencies would strengthen preparedness.

Officials said the arrangements form part of a broader multi-layered security grid being implemented across the pilgrimage route, including drone surveillance, sniper deployment, enhanced monitoring systems and disaster response mechanisms.

The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to run from July 3 to August 28, with authorities deploying one of the region’s most extensive security operations to safeguard pilgrims travelling to the cave shrine via the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.