SRINAGAR: Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the deployment of 581 companies of paramilitary forces to secure the pilgrimage routes and surrounding areas across Jammu and Kashmir.
The MHA has authorised the JK administration and police to utilise 156 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies already stationed in the region. These include 91 CRPF, 30 SSB, 15 CISF, 13 BSF, and 7 ITBP units—each comprising around 75 to 80 personnel.
In addition, the MHA will dispatch 425 more companies by June 10. These will include 130 BSF, 128 CRPF (including five women’s units), 67 SSB, 55 ITBP, and 45 CISF companies. The personnel will remain on duty until the conclusion of the yatra on August 9, after which they will be de-inducted.
The deployed forces will be responsible for securing the cave shrine, managing pilgrim convoys, covering sensitive stretches, and maintaining a strong presence along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. (KNT)
