Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 10

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to chair a high-level meeting in New Delhi on June 12 to review security arrangements and overall preparedness for the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3 in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), top security commanders and civil administration officials are expected to attend the meeting, which will focus on ensuring a secure and incident-free pilgrimage.

The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 28.

The review is expected to assess the operational readiness of security and civil agencies, infrastructure preparedness and arrangements for pilgrims amid evolving security challenges in the region.

The MHA has sanctioned 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces for deployment during the Yatra. The forces will operate alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and other security agencies to secure the pilgrimage routes and related facilities.

The meeting forms part of a series of annual reviews conducted by the Union Home Minister ahead of the pilgrimage to strengthen the multi-layered security grid and coordinate arrangements among various agencies.

Officials said deliberations are expected to focus on counter-terrorism operations, anti-infiltration measures and the broader security situation along the Line of Control, amid concerns over increased infiltration attempts and developments across the border.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of Border Security Force Daljit Singh Chawdhary, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and other senior officials from the MHA, Army, CRPF, BSF, National Investigation Agency and intelligence agencies are likely to participate.

Officials are expected to brief Shah on security assessments, infrastructure development, logistics, healthcare facilities and other arrangements being put in place for the pilgrimage.

The meeting was initially scheduled for June 8 but was deferred due to the Home Minister’s engagements, officials said.

Ahead of the proposed review, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a meeting in Srinagar on Wednesday to assess preparations for the Yatra.

Sinha directed all departments and security agencies to complete arrangements related to security, infrastructure, healthcare, sanitation, connectivity and pilgrim services.

“Our collective goal is to ensure a safe, seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for every devotee of Baba Barfani,” he said.