Srinagar, June 25, 2025: In a proactive effort to ensure a secure and seamless pilgrimage, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security agencies, conducted a comprehensive mock drill at Yatri Niwas in Pantha Chowk, Srinagar, ahead of the Amarnath Yatra 2025, set to commence on July 3. The exercise aimed to assess emergency preparedness, enhance coordination, and fine-tune security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine.
The mock drill, part of a broader series of exercises across the Kashmir Valley, simulated critical scenarios such as improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, terrorist infiltration attempts, fire evacuations, and crowd control measures. Conducted across eight zones in Srinagar, including high-sensitivity areas along the Yatra route, the drill involved the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Special Operations Group (SOG), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, emphasized that the exercise was designed to test coordination and response times, sending a strong message that the Yatra is secure.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, V.K. Birdi, who inspected the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, highlighted the multi-layered security arrangements in place to ensure a safe pilgrimage. Similar drills were conducted at other key locations, including Baltal base camp, Anantnag, Qazigund, and Sumbal in Bandipora district, involving agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), 49th Battalion CRPF, Indian Army, Health Department, and Fire & Emergency Services.
The Amarnath Yatra, running from July 3 to August 9, 2025, has heightened security concerns following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. To address these, nearly 900 Punjab Police personnel have been deployed along the Yatra route, and the J&K Police issued an advisory urging pilgrims to avoid independent travel and use escorted convoys.
Kulgam Police, alongside CRPF, Border Security Force (BSF), and other agencies, also conducted large-scale mock drills at strategic locations like the Walnut Factory base camp in Qazigund and FCI camp in Mirbazar. These exercises focused on evaluating response speed and coordination to counter potential threats, particularly terror-related incidents.
SSP Srinagar underscored the importance of public cooperation, particularly adherence to cut-off timings and security guidelines, to ensure a smooth pilgrimage. The drills reflect the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lakhs of devotees expected to undertake the 38-day Yatra to the 3,880-meter-high holy cave shrine.
