SRINAGAR: With preparations gathering pace for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Police, disaster response agencies and the Indian Army have intensified efforts to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, with Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagging off 45 specialised Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) and the Northern Army Commander reviewing security arrangements along the pilgrimage route.
The specialised rescue teams have been deployed at strategic and vulnerable locations along the twin Baltal and Pahalgam routes, including the Holy Cave area, to provide rapid response during emergencies and natural disasters.
Flagging off the teams in Srinagar, DGP Nalin Prabhat said the growing threat of cloudbursts, landslides and weather-related emergencies in mountainous terrain has made the role of rescue personnel increasingly important.
“Every year the challenges in mountainous areas are increasing. The possibility of cloudbursts and landslides makes the role of mountain rescue teams more significant than ever before,” he said while addressing personnel drawn from various agencies.
The DGP lauded the performance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Mountain Rescue Teams, recalling their efforts during the Gulmarg rescue operation. He described their response as being of “global standards” and commended the dedication, efficiency and professionalism displayed by the personnel.
Referring to an earlier commitment made to rescuers who participated in the Gulmarg operation, Prabhat said the process of recognising deserving personnel was underway. He said the list of SDRF personnel recommended for DGP commendation had already been approved in principle, while recommendations from district police units were still awaited.
Emphasising the importance of preparedness, the DGP said training remained the cornerstone of effective disaster response.
“There is no substitute for training. Training is a fundamental requirement for every force and every challenging task,” he said.
Prabhat stressed the need for regular joint exercises involving the SDRF, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Mountain Rescue Teams and other agencies to strengthen interoperability and operational coordination during rescue operations.
“No matter how good your individual training is, unless you train jointly for interoperability, we will not be able to achieve the goal of jointness and jointmanship,” he said.
The DGP congratulated SDRF officials for organising a joint training capsule involving multiple rescue agencies, describing it as a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at enhancing coordination and response capabilities.
He said such exercises should not remain confined to the annual pilgrimage but should become a regular feature for all disaster response agencies operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing the NDRF as the country’s “flag bearer” in disaster management, Prabhat urged police and SDRF personnel to adopt best practices in training, equipment management and operational preparedness.
The rescue teams comprise personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, NDRF, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and other agencies. Equipped with upgraded rescue gear and enhanced emergency response equipment, the teams have undergone specialised training to improve their operational capabilities.
According to officials, around 45 rescue columns have been deployed at 21 to 25 critical locations along the pilgrimage route, including landslide-prone and vulnerable stretches beginning from the Baltal Base Camp and Nunwan Base Camp up to the Holy Cave Shrine.
Director SDRF Imtiyaz Hussain said the deployment is aimed at ensuring swift assistance to pilgrims and an immediate response to any emergency situation.
“These specialised mountain rescue teams play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the yatris. This year we have upgraded equipment and enhanced training standards to strengthen our emergency response capabilities,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the arrangements made for the pilgrimage, the DGP said authorities expected the same level of professionalism and commitment from rescue teams that they had demonstrated during previous operations.
Meanwhile, security preparations for the pilgrimage also received a major review from the Indian Army.
Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Thursday visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari to assess operational preparedness and review the security situation along the Southern Route of the annual pilgrimage.
During the visit, Lt Gen Sharma was briefed on the prevailing security scenario, deployment plans, coordination mechanisms and measures being implemented to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra.
According to the Northern Command, the Army remains fully committed to ensuring a secure pilgrimage through vigilant security measures, seamless coordination with civil administration and security agencies, and comprehensive operational preparedness.
The visit comes amid intensified preparations by security forces and civil authorities ahead of the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, one of the country’s largest religious pilgrimages, which attracts thousands of devotees from across India every year.
Officials said coordinated efforts involving the police, Army, paramilitary forces, disaster response agencies and civil administration are underway to ensure that pilgrims undertake the journey in a safe and secure environment despite the challenges posed by difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.
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