Jammu, September 2, 2025 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the security agencies and the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Union Territory (UT) administration on Monday for ensuring the successful and incident-free completion of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Over 4 lakh pilgrims safely completed the sacred pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in the Himalayas, despite challenging weather conditions and recent natural calamities.During a high-level security review meeting chaired by Shah at Raj Bhavan in Jammu, the Home Minister expressed his appreciation for the coordinated efforts of the security forces, including the Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and J&K Police. The meeting was attended by key officials such as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) of J&K, and heads of various CAPFs. Amit Shah highlighted the significance of the Amarnath Yatra as a symbol of India’s rich cultural and spiritual traditions, noting that more than 400,000 devotees had paid obeisance at the Baba Barfani shrine this year.
He praised the UT administration and security personnel for their unwavering commitment to providing a secure environment for the pilgrims, even amid heightened security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier in the year and subsequent operations like Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev.Reiterating the Central government’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism, Shah directed all security agencies to remain vigilant and collaborate seamlessly to eradicate terror from J&K.
“All security agencies should remain alert and operate in a coordinated manner to eliminate terrorism in the Union Territory,” he emphasized, underscoring the need for sustained counter-terrorism measures.Shah’s visit to Jammu comes in the wake of heavy rains and flash floods that have devastated parts of the region. Arriving on Sunday evening, he assessed the flood damage and relief efforts. On Monday, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, met with Shah to brief him on the extensive losses, including human lives, livestock, and property damage caused by cloudbursts and incessant rainfall. Shah assured comprehensive rehabilitation support and directed officials to expedite relief operations.The Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3 and concluded ahead of schedule due to inclement weather, saw enhanced security deployments this year, including over 8,500 troops under Operation SHIVA and advanced surveillance systems to counter potential threats.
Despite these challenges, the pilgrimage proceeded smoothly, with no major incidents reported.Shah’s directives align with the Modi government’s broader commitment to fostering peace and development in J&K, while ensuring the safety of religious and cultural events. The Home Minister’s visit also included plans to address border communities affected by Pakistani shelling, reinforcing the Centre’s support for the region’s security and welfare.As J&K continues to recover from natural disasters and security threats, Shah’s praise serves as a morale booster for the forces, while his call for anti-terror vigilance signals ongoing efforts to maintain stability in the sensitive border state.
