Union Home Minister Amit Shah led a high-level meeting to assess security arrangements and readiness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. The meeting saw the presence of key officials including Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and CRPF Director-General G.P. Singh, among others.
The annual Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with important festivals like Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Given the pilgrimage’s location at 3880 meters above sea level, a significant security presence is essential, with both Central and Union Territory administrations collaborating closely.
Security measures for the Yatra involve a combination of advanced surveillance technology, intelligence-driven monitoring, and coordinated efforts among multiple agencies to ensure the safety of the devotees. The cave shrine at Amarnath holds an ice stalagmite structure believed to represent the mythical powers of Lord Shiva, which changes with the moon’s phases.
Yatris can access the shrine via two routes: the traditional 48 km path through Pahalgam base camp in Anantnag district or the shorter 14 km route through the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have implemented stringent security measures, including the deployment of sophisticated screening and anti-sabotage equipment along the pilgrimage route.
