Jammu:A fresh batch of 9,153 pilgrims, including 2,345 women and 18 children, departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Sunday to undertake the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, even as senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out an extensive review of security arrangements along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway.
According to officials, the 11th batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in 359 vehicles under a multi-tier security cover for the twin base camps at Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in Anantnag district.
The first convoy, comprising 3,429 pilgrims, departed for the Baltal base camp at 2:44 am, while the second convoy carrying 5,724 pilgrims left for the Nunwan base camp at 3:35 am.
Officials said that with the latest batch, the annual pilgrimage continues to witness a steady influx of devotees. Since the commencement of the 57-day pilgrimage on July 3, more than 2.30 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the naturally formed ice Shivling inside the holy cave shrine.
The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
To ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF conducted a comprehensive inspection of security arrangements across Kathua and Samba districts, focusing on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway—the primary route used by pilgrims entering Jammu and Kashmir.
The review was led by Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti, accompanied by CRPF Inspector General Amol V. Homkar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range) Shridhar Patil, and DIG CRPF Awadhesh Pathak.
The officers visited key security locations to assess the operational preparedness, deployment of security forces, inter-agency coordination and convoy protection measures.
At Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir in Kathua district, the officers inspected the Reception Centre and reviewed frisking procedures, vehicle checking, deployment of personnel and other security arrangements.
IGP Bhim Sen Tuti later chaired a security review meeting where he directed officers to maintain round-the-clock surveillance, remain on high alert and ensure all possible assistance to pilgrims throughout their journey.
Earlier, a high-level security meeting was also held in Samba district, where officials were briefed on the district’s yatra deployment plan, border security grid, surveillance mechanisms, convoy protection, community kitchens and accommodation centres established for pilgrims.
The prevailing security situation and recent intelligence inputs were reviewed in detail, with field officers instructed to maintain maximum operational readiness and enhanced vigilance.
Tuti stressed the importance of seamless coordination between the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other security agencies. He called for continuous information sharing, stronger operational synergy and regular briefings of personnel deployed on yatra duties.
CRPF IG Amol V. Homkaremphasised sustained monitoring of the security grid and directed senior officers from both the police and CAPFs to conduct regular joint inspections to ensure strict implementation of all security protocols.
The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, one of the country’s largest religious pilgrimages, is being conducted under an elaborate multi-layered security framework involving the police, Army, CRPF and other security agencies to ensure the safety of thousands of devotees visiting the Himalayan shrine each day.
