SRINAGAR: With just two days left for commencement of annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration, along with the police and security forces, successfully conducted a dry run of the Amarnath Yatra convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on June 26.
The Dry run started from Jammu and successfully crossed Udhampur District. The dry run was aimed at assessing the security arrangements and logistical requirements for the Yatra convoy. It involved a mock movement of a convoy of vehicles, carrying pilgrims and supplies. The convoy was accompanied by security forces and medical teams. The dry run was observed by senior officials from the J&K administration, the police, and the security forces
A multi-layer security cover deployed to secure highways and maintain a tight vigil during nights was chalked out by security agencies this year as yatra comes in the backdrop of a flip in militancy in the Jammu region, with back to back attacks and terror violence incidents.
This year’s enhanced security measures follow the June 9 terror attack on a pilgrim bus in Reasi, which resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including the driver and conductor, and left more than 33 others injured.
Subsequent attacks in Kathua and Doda further underscored the need for stringent security, with one CRPF trooper and two militants killed, alongside injuries to one civilian and six security personnel.
The J&K administration also set a cut-off timing for pilgrims who intended to travel by vehicles or by foot. A structured and secure flow of pilgrims along the designated routes is being worked out, officials said.
In response to these threats, Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-security meeting in Jammu and Kashmir, directing the security forces to adopt a robust anti-terror policy.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has also emphasised the importance of an incident-free Yatra, stressing coordinated efforts among various security and administrative agencies.
A special drill was also conducted and searches were carried out around the base camp, Jammu. An identification drive of those living in the area was also held.
“Three-tier security measures have been put in place for the base camp in Bhagwati Nagar area in Jammu,” Dr. Vinod Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, said. He said police have stepped up area domination, especially on the highway. “All points from borders have been plugged.
To thwart any terrorist attempts, special Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been constituted with the security forces planning to secure the high-rise buildings as part of the area domination. The Bhagwati Nagar camp will be under constant vigil of 360-degree cameras, the police said. Additional security forces have been posted in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure a safe yatra.
There are two arduous Amarnath yatra routes in Kashmir, where pilgrims scale up to an altitude of 13,000 feet through picturesque tourist spots of Pahalgam and Sonmarg to pay obeisance at the cave shrine. Pilgrims trek 20 kms on foot from Chandanwari up to the cave shrine in Pahalgam and 14 kms from Baltal to the shrine. The yatra will start from June 29.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who visited the Amarnath yatra base camp at Baltal yesterday, also directed senior officers of the administration, police, security forces and other stakeholder departments to coordinate with each other for better security and yatra management—(KNO)
