Navneet Dubey
Jammu: With the annual Amarnath Yatra set to commence on July 3, authorities across Jammu and Kashmir have intensified preparations, putting in place multi-layered security, advanced surveillance, and comprehensive civic arrangements to ensure the pilgrimage proceeds smoothly and safely.
J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Monday chaired a high-level joint meeting with police and Central Armed Police Forces at the Police Control Room in Srinagar. The meeting focused on reviewing and reinforcing the security measures for the Yatra as well as Eid-Ul-Adha and other upcoming events.
DGP Prabhat emphasized the deployment of anti-sabotage teams along the pilgrimage routes and the use of advanced technology, including real-time surveillance tools, to bolster threat detection and mitigation.
He also called for strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), dismantling of the terror ecosystem, and seamless inter-agency coordination to maintain peace and order throughout the yatra period.
In a parallel development, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, visited the Chinar Corps headquarters to evaluate the security situation in Kashmir and review the Army’s operational preparedness.
The Army’s Northern Command, in a statement on X, said Lt Gen Sharma reviewed all security arrangements for the Yatra, appreciating the professionalism and resilience of the troops, and underlined the importance of sustained vigilance given the sensitivities involved.
In Jammu, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti held a detailed meeting with civil and police administration, CAPF, and various line departments to assess the preparations in the Jammu division, which forms the starting point of the Yatra.
The meeting focused on logistics such as RFID registration centers from Lakhanpur to Ramban, training of staff, security and sanitation at lodgment centers, traffic and transit arrangements, healthcare, CCTV surveillance, power backup, and public amenities at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp.
The Div Com instructed Deputy Commissioners to personally monitor the quality and timely completion of all works by June 20, while the IGP emphasized timely departure of Yatra convoys and wide publicity of departure and cutoff timings via media to avoid confusion among pilgrims.
Additionally, e-bus services by Jammu Smart City Limited will be promoted for pilgrims wishing to explore Jammu’s tourist spots such as the Beating Retreat at Suchetgarh.
The Divisional Commissioner also instructed departments to ensure the availability of LPG for langars, mobile SIM counters, transport facilities, and the deployment of nodal officers to oversee daily progress. A central control room at Bhagwati Nagar will coordinate all activities during the yatra.
