Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 2

Authorities have activated an extensive multi-layered security network for the annual Amarnath Yatra, with senior civil and police officials receiving yatris at transit camps, airports, railway stations, and base camps across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the yatra beginning on Friday.

The first batches of yatris travelling from Jammu were welcomed at several locations, including Srinagar, Qazigund, Ganderbal, Udhampur, and Pahalgam, where officials greeted devotees and reviewed security and facilitation arrangements.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first convoy from Jammu earlier on Thursday, while district officials and senior police officers oversaw the movement of yatris through the Valley.

Authorities said around 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces had been deployed alongside the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police to secure the pilgrimage routes, transit camps, and other vulnerable locations.

The security arrangements include electronic surveillance, drone monitoring, anti-sabotage operations, checkpoints, and intensified area domination along both the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route.

Police have also operationalised “Project Hawk Eye” in Anantnag district, integrating surveillance technology with ground deployments to monitor movement along the yatra corridor.

Senior officers from the police, Army, and paramilitary forces have reviewed operational preparedness, disaster response capabilities, mountain rescue plans, and coordination mechanisms with the civil administration.

Authorities said more than 3.5 lakh yatris had registered for this year’s yatra, with mandatory registration, RFID-based tracking, medical facilities, community kitchens, and upgraded infrastructure put in place to facilitate the yatra while maintaining stringent security.