Srinagar, June 25, 2025 – With the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025 set to commence on July 3, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in coordination with other security forces, have rolled out an extensive multi-layered security setup to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, announced that this year’s security arrangements are significantly more robust and in-depth compared to 2024, prompted by the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Enhanced Security Measures
The Amarnath Yatra, a 38-day spiritual trek to the 3,880-meter-high cave housing the naturally formed ice Shivling, will see over 45,000 personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP, Indian Army, and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) deployed along the Pahalgam (48 km) and Baltal (14 km) routes. IGP Birdi emphasized a multi-tiered security framework, incorporating advanced technology and strategic deployments to safeguard pilgrims. Key measures include:
- AI-Based Surveillance: Facial recognition systems and drone surveillance at key checkpoints to monitor movement and detect threats.
- Cordon and Search Operations: Over 20 daily operations along routes and surrounding forests to sanitize the terrain.
- No-Fly Zone: Both routes declared a no-fly zone from July 1 to August 10, 2025, suspending helicopter services to mitigate aerial risks post-Pahalgam attack.
- Additional Checkpoints: Jammu Police have established new security posts in Jammu, Kathua, and Samba, with intensified frisking at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, the main base camp.
- Route Security: Strategic deployment of forces for rapid response at critical points, including high-risk segments like Nunwan and Chandanwari on the Pahalgam route.IGP Birdi, in a recent review meeting, outlined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure seamless coordination among forces, with logistical support for incoming CAPF units. The Pahalgam route is divided into 17 zones and 51 sectors for operational efficiency, while the Baltal route features fortified camps with weather-resistant setups.Response to Pahalgam AttackThe April terror attack, attributed to the Union Home Ministry, has heightened vigilance. IGP Birdi noted that ponywalas and local service providers are undergoing strict ID verification at base camps, with proper registration and ID checks to prevent infiltration. Surveillance drones and bomb disposal units, supported by 50,000 CRPF personnel, are deployed to secure approach roads and the national highway, which will be restricted during pilgrim convoys.Administrative and Community SupportThe Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and J&K administration, under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, have upgraded infrastructure, including widened tracks, safety handrails, and ILCB tiles on high-risk segments. Base camps like Bhagwati Nagar and transit points like Pantha Chowk are equipped with medical, sanitation, and lodging facilities. Local communities, including the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, have pledged support, emphasizing interfaith harmony and tourism’s economic benefits.A Call for Fearless PilgrimageIGP Birdi reassured devotees, stating, “Our multi-layered security ensures a safe Yatra. Pilgrims should visit without fear.” Lieutenant Governor Sinha, who chaired a security review on June 13, 2025, echoed this, urging large participation and praising the J&K Police, Army, and CAPFs for foolproof arrangements. The Yatra, concluding on August 9, 2025, is expected to draw lakhs, with 3.31 lakh registrations already recorded.
