Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, July 17

Police have stepped up security and operational preparedness in the border district of Kathua, as authorities seek to ensure the safe conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra amid heightened vigilance along the international frontier.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Shridhar Patil on Friday reviewed security arrangements, anti-infiltration measures and yatri facilitation during a meeting with senior officers, directing security personnel to strengthen surveillance, intensify patrolling in vulnerable areas and maintain close coordination among agencies involved in safeguarding the yatra.

The review comes as thousands of Hindu yatris continue to travel to the Amarnath Cave shrine, one of India’s most important annual religious yatras, which is protected each year by a multi-layered security grid involving police, paramilitary forces, and the army.

Kathua, located along the border with Pakistan and serving as one of the principal entry points into J&K, plays a critical role in securing the movement of yatris travelling towards Kashmir.

During the meeting, Patil assessed operational readiness, intelligence gathering, border security, area domination exercises, vehicle checks, and contingency planning, while instructing officers to remain alert to emerging security challenges throughout the yatra period.

He also emphasised closer coordination among police and other security agencies to ensure a swift response to any contingency and maintain uninterrupted movement of yatris along the route.

Following the review meeting, Patil visited Lakhanpur, the main road entry point into J&K, where he inspected the Joint Police Control Room, traffic management arrangements, and registration facilities established for yatris entering J&K.

The officer interacted with officials overseeing security and logistics at the site before meeting yatris to assess arrangements on the ground.

He assured them that police would provide all necessary assistance to facilitate a safe and smooth journey.

Patil directed officers to ensure efficient traffic management, robust security deployment, and prompt assistance for yatris throughout the yatra season, underscoring the importance of maintaining both security and public convenience.

The annual Amarnath Yatra remains one of the largest security operations undertaken in J&K each year, requiring extensive coordination among multiple agencies to protect yatris travelling through mountainous terrain while maintaining heightened vigilance against potential security threats in the region.