JAMMU: With preparations gathering pace for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have stepped up readiness through specialised joint training exercises and comprehensive security reviews aimed at ensuring a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
As part of the enhanced security framework, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the National Security Guard (NSG) concluded a week-long joint training exercise, ‘Shakti Sangam’, in Jammu on Saturday. Simultaneously, senior police and security officials reviewed multi-layered security arrangements for the pilgrimage with a strong focus on technology-driven surveillance and inter-agency coordination.
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3. Pilgrims from across the country will begin arriving at Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu, which serves as the primary base camp before onward movement to Kashmir. The pilgrimage will proceed through the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
According to officials, the ‘Shakti Sangam’ exercise was conducted from June 8 to June 13 with the objective of strengthening operational preparedness, enhancing response capabilities and improving coordination between specialised forces in view of evolving security challenges.
During the training programme, SOG and NSG personnel underwent intensive sessions covering intervention tactics, hostage rescue operations, deployment of force multipliers, bomb disposal mechanisms, counter-drone operations, use of night-vision equipment and live firing exercises.
Officials said scenario-based drills formed a key component of the exercise, enabling teams to improve real-time decision-making and coordinated response during emergency situations and high-risk incidents.
Security officials noted that such collaborative exercises provide an opportunity to exchange expertise, share operational best practices and strengthen interoperability between elite forces tasked with handling complex security scenarios.
Parallel to the field exercise, a high-level security management and coordination meeting was chaired by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Joginder Singh and attended by senior officers from district police, CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, intelligence agencies, civil administration and disaster management departments.
The meeting reviewed preparedness and emphasised seamless coordination among all stakeholders to ensure peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage.
During deliberations, authorities stressed heightened vigilance and directed agencies to intensify patrolling, conduct surprise checks and ensure strategic deployment of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) for immediate response to contingencies.
Detailed discussions were held on law and order management, traffic regulation, crowd control, emergency response systems, border security and coordination mechanisms.
Special attention was given to technology-based security measures, including expanded CCTV coverage, real-time monitoring through integrated control rooms and stronger communication networks to enable faster information sharing and response.
Security agencies also underlined the importance of timely intelligence dissemination, regular coordination drills and close monitoring of vulnerable locations throughout the yatra period.
Authorities further directed field units to conduct mock drills, reinforce security checkpoints, review contingency plans and hold regular review meetings at sub-divisional levels.
The SSP Jammu reiterated that ensuring the safety and security of pilgrims and local residents remains the highest priority and stressed that proactive policing, robust coordination among agencies and active public cooperation will be crucial in maintaining peace and stability during the annual pilgrimage.
