Srinagar, June 18, 2025 – Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan led a crucial meeting in Srinagar yesterday to finalize security arrangements for the Shri Amarnath Yatra, set to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, 2025. The 52-day pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine, nestled at 3,880 meters in south Kashmir’s Himalayas, is anticipated to attract over 500,000 devotees, necessitating robust measures to ensure their safety amid heightened regional concerns.
The high-level review, attended by senior officials including Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, representatives from the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), focused on creating a secure environment for pilgrims traveling via the 48-km Pahalgam and 14-km Baltal routes. The meeting follows recent security challenges, including the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, and a brief India-Pakistan conflict in May.
Comprehensive Security Framework
To safeguard pilgrims, authorities have rolled out a multi-tiered security plan. A significant measure is the designation of the yatra route as a “No Flying Zone” from July 1 to August 10, prohibiting unauthorized drones, UAVs, or balloons, except for security or emergency operations. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for exemptions will be released soon.
The security apparatus includes:
- Layered Protection: A coordinated deployment of Army, CAPFs, and J&K Police personnel across the shrine, base camps, transit points, and routes, starting from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas.
- Advanced Surveillance: Installation of 360-degree CCTV cameras, traffic monitoring systems, and real-time RFID tracking for pilgrims.
- Operation Shiva: A dedicated security protocol to ensure seamless coordination and rapid response to threats.
- Proactive Measures: Joint security drills, intelligence sharing, and area sanitization operations to counter potential risks.
- Emergency Preparedness: Weather monitoring systems, medical camps, and evacuation protocols to address natural or man-made crises.
Home Secretary Mohan emphasized the need for “uncompromising vigilance” and seamless inter-agency collaboration to thwart any attempts by “adverse elements” to disrupt the pilgrimage.
Logistical and Pilgrim Support
In addition to security, the administration is enhancing facilities for devotees. The SASB, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has outlined plans for improved sanitation, drinking water, medical services, and shelters along both routes. Volunteers from local communities and government departments will assist at key checkpoints. District administrations in Samba, Kathua, and Jammu have inspected transit camps, ensuring adequate amenities for pilgrims.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar reviewed arrangements in Samba and Kathua, while CRPF teams conducted sanitization drives at Jammu’s lodgement centers. SASB CEO Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari briefed officials on logistical preparedness, highlighting efforts to streamline pilgrim movement.
Addressing Regional Sensitivities
The yatra’s security arrangements come under scrutiny following recent regional unrest. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the ban on helicopter services, calling it an “overreaction” that could deter pilgrims and harm perceptions of Jammu and Kashmir’s stability. However, Lieutenant Governor Sinha remains optimistic, urging devotees to participate in large numbers and assuring them of “ironclad” security measures.
Table: Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025 Security and Support Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Yatra Period | July 3 to August 9, 2025 (52 days) |
| Pilgrimage Routes | Pahalgam (48 km), Baltal (14 km) |
| Security Forces | Army, J&K Police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB |
| No Flying Zone | July 1 to August 10, 2025; restricts unauthorized drones/UAVs |
| Technology | RFID tracking, 360-degree CCTV, traffic control systems |
| Key Initiative | Operation Shiva for coordinated security |
| Emergency Support | Weather alerts, medical camps, evacuation plans |
| Pilgrim Amenities | Sanitation, water, shelters, volunteer assistance |
| Key Officials | Govind Mohan, Tapan Kumar Deka, Manoj Sinha, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari |
