Srinagar: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Saturday chaired a high-level security review meeting here to assess the preparedness for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3, officials said. The home secretary chaired the security review meeting at the Police Headquarters here, which was attended by the top brass of police, Army, CRPF, BSF, and intelligence agencies, the officials said.
They said the overall security situation in the Kashmir Valley was reviewed, with a special focus on arrangements for the 57-day Amarnath yatra. Mohan was briefed about the steps taken to secure the life and property of citizens in Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said.
They said the home secretary was also briefed about the steps taken to maintain the prevailing peace and break the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory. The officers also briefed the Home Secretary on measures undertaken to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, including deployment plans, convoy protection, emergency response, healthcare facilities, communication networks, and transportation services, the officials added. Over the last few days, security forces have conducted a series of mock drills to assess and strengthen the security preparedness, emergency response mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination for the smooth and safe conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
Sources said the overall security situation in the Kashmir was also reviewed. “The Union Home Secretary was briefed about the steps taken to secure the life and property of citizens in Jammu and Kashmir,” they said, adding, “The Home Secretary was also briefed about the steps taken to maintain the prevailing peace and break the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.”
Pertinently, on June 12 Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review security preparedness for the Amarnath Yatra. He directed the top security brass to focus on ensuring a safe and smooth pilgrimage for devotees. “Safety of pilgrims remains the top priority of the PM Modi-led government,” Shah said.
The Union Home Minister directed officials to put in place a comprehensive, multi-layered security grid along the Yatra routes through close coordination between Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and other security agencies. Shah laid emphasis on integrating modern technology with traditional security mechanisms.
During the meeting officials were directed to ensure extensive deployment of drones, CCTV surveillance, and advanced monitoring systems to further strengthen situational awareness and threat response capabilities. The Home Minister also instructed that senior officers from CAPFs and the Jammu and Kashmir Police be deployed at key camp locations to maintain continuous oversight of arrangements on the ground throughout the duration of the Yatra.
Apart from the Yatra routes, HM Shah asked officials to ensure enhanced security arrangements at other major tourist locations across Jammu and Kashmir so that visiting pilgrims can travel safely and without disruption. The annual Amarnath Yatra, which draws thousands of devotees each year to the Himalayan shrine, is set to commence on July 3, with authorities working to ensure tight security and smooth management amid challenging terrain and weather conditions.
