Anantnag, July 15, 2025 – In a proactive measure to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, Anantnag Police conducted a comprehensive mock drill along the designated Pahalgam Yatra route on July 14. The exercise, aimed at enhancing security preparedness, tested the response capabilities and coordination among various security forces at strategically significant points along the route, including high-footfall areas prone to congestion.
The mock drill simulated critical scenarios such as potential terror threats, emergency evacuations, and crowd management to evaluate the efficiency of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Senior officers from Anantnag Police, in collaboration with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including the CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, supervised the exercise to ensure seamless inter-agency coordination. Special emphasis was placed on rapid response by Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and bomb disposal squads, with the drill designed to refine operational readiness without disrupting pilgrims or the public.
A police spokesperson highlighted the importance of public cooperation, stating, “The exercise was conducted smoothly, and we appreciate the support of citizens and pilgrims, which is vital for a secure Yatra.” The drill aligns with broader security measures for the 38-day pilgrimage, which began on July 3 and continues until August 9, covering the 48-km Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route to the 3,880-meter-high Amarnath cave shrine. Over 1.28 lakh pilgrims have already visited the shrine, with robust arrangements like facial recognition systems (FRS) and RFID tracking enhancing safety.
The initiative follows similar mock drills across South and Central Kashmir, including Kulgam and Srinagar, where agencies like the J&K Police, NDRF, and SDRF tested emergency protocols for landslides, terror threats, and health crises. These efforts, complemented by the BSF’s bomb disposal operations along the Yatra routes, underscore the administration’s commitment to a secure pilgrimage, especially in light of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Meteorological Department’s ongoing wet spell advisory until July 17 has also prompted additional precautions to mitigate risks of flash floods and landslides.
