Srinagar, June 10, 2025 – In response to heightened security concerns, the Jammu & Kashmir Police have deployed advanced facial recognition systems (FRS) along the Pahalgam route of the Amarnath Yatra to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the 38-day pilgrimage, set to commence on July 3, 2025, and conclude on August 9, 2025. This cutting-edge AI-based surveillance initiative, part of Operation Shiva, aims to counter terror threats following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 tourists.
The FRS, integrated with CCTV networks, has been programmed with images of active terrorists and suspected overground workers. “As soon as a blacklisted individual appears in the camera frame, a hooter alerts the surveillance centre, enabling security forces to neutralise threats in real-time,” an official involved in the operation told Kashmir Observer. This technology complements existing measures like radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for pilgrims and vehicles, surveillance drones, and signal jammers to prevent IED attacks.
The Amarnath Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine housing the ice Shivling, has been a repeated target of terror attacks, including the 2000 Nunwan base camp attack that killed 32 people. To address these risks, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the deployment of 581 Central Armed Police Force companies, including 50,000 CRPF personnel, to secure the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Additional measures include bomb disposal squads, quick action teams , and K9 units for enhanced threat detection.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, during a Unified Command meeting on May 20, 2025, emphasised stringent security protocols and coordination among the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, and local police. The Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, directed the use of advanced technologies to bolster real-time intelligence sharing and dismantle terror networks, particularly after Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike against terror bases following the Pahalgam attack.
Despite a 35-37% cancellation rate in bookings due to the recent attack, Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in the Yatra’s success, stating, “The people of India are resilient, and the Yatra will proceed as a symbol of our determination.” National Conference president Farooq Abdullah added that a successful pilgrimage would signal peace in Kashmir, countering the narrative of fear. Registrations remain strong, with over 550 permits issued in Mohali alone in just 15 days, reflecting the enduring faith of devotees.
The administration is also enhancing tourism recovery efforts, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewing preparations to encourage visitors to the Valley. Security forces are realigning deployments to secure areas like Baisaran meadow, the site of the April attack, ensuring a robust security grid for the Yatra. These measures aim to protect the expected five lakh pilgrims while reinforcing Jammu & Kashmir’s path toward stability and development.
