45 Special Mountain Rescue Teams Deployed Along Amarnath Yatra Routes

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagged off 45 mountain rescue teams for deployment along the twin routes of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

These teams, comprising personnel from J&K Police, State and National Disaster Response Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and Border Security Force, will be deployed at 21 strategic locations leading to the revered cave temple in the South Kashmir Himalayas.

Rescue teams are specially trained to assist pilgrims and effectively respond to emergencies in difficult terrain, officials said. SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir emphasized that the teams will remain ready to provide necessary support to the devotees as in previous years. He highlighted the importance of their role in ensuring safety, noting that in the event of any unforeseen situation, the teams are fully equipped to respond swiftly.

Mir also underlined that additional efforts have been made this year to upgrade equipment and improve facilities so that staff can provide better service during the Hajj.

As part of intensified preparations, authorities conducted mock drills in various districts of the Kashmir Valley, including Pulwama and Kulgam, to assess emergency response, coordination between agencies and overall security preparedness. The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3 and end on August 28.

In parallel, security has been significantly strengthened with the planned deployment of advanced surveillance and scanning technologies. These include portable RCIED jammers, metal detectors, explosive and liquid explosive detectors, CCTV systems, X-ray baggage scanners, vehicle-mounted inspection systems and other specialized equipment aimed at providing comprehensive monitoring in camps and sensitive locations.

A high-level delegation from the Union Home Ministry, led by Home Minister Govind Mohan, is expected to visit J&K on June 20 and 21 to inspect security and logistics arrangements on the spot. The delegation will include senior officials from the central armed forces and intelligence agencies and will hold review meetings with the civil administration, security forces and other stakeholders in both Jammu and Srinagar.

The investigation will focus on the multi-layered security grid spanning highways, transit points, base camps and accommodation facilities stretching from Lakhanpur, the gateway to J&K from Punjab, to the cave temple of Amarnath. Approximately 90 percent of the required security deployment has already been completed, with the remainder expected to be implemented shortly. Authorities have approved the deployment of 670 companies of paramilitary forces with a significant presence in the Kashmir Valley.

Comprehensive alignments along two well-known routes – the traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal districts – are under completion. Security and logistics measures include convoy protection, route surveillance, access control, anti-sabotage controls and weather contingency planning.

Additionally, authorities are focusing on essential services such as accommodation, health services, sanitation, water supply, transportation and communication systems to manage the expected increase in the number of pilgrims.

The annual Amarnath Yatra requires meticulous coordination among multiple institutions due to high altitude, unpredictable weather conditions and large-scale participation, officials said. With less than three weeks to go, the upcoming MHA review is expected to provide a final boost to preparedness and ensure a safe, hassle-free and well-managed pilgrimage for all devotees.

Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Thursday visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari to review the security situation and operational preparedness on the traditional Amarnath Yatra route ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

A defense spokesman said the Army Command had carried out a comprehensive assessment of security arrangements and preparedness measures to ensure the Hajj was conducted smoothly and safely. He was briefed on the current security scenario, distribution plans, coordination mechanisms between institutions and steps taken to protect pilgrims.

The Indian Army is fully committed to ensuring a safe pilgrimage through close coordination with all stakeholders, careful monitoring and strong operational preparedness, the statement said.