Srinagar, June 17 (JKNS): A high-level delegation of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and comprising heads of all major paramilitary forces and Intelligence agencies, is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir on June 20 and 21 to assess preparedness and security arrangements for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra scheduled to commence on July 3.
Official sources told news agency JKNS, that the MHA delegation will include chiefs of the CRPF, BSF, SSB, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other senior officials of the Union Home Ministry.
The delegation will review security arrangements for the 57-day-long pilgrimage in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. Separate review meetings are expected to be held in Jammu on June 20 and in Kashmir division on June 21, they said.
Top officials from the civil administration, police, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies of Jammu and Kashmir will participate in the meetings. Divisional-level officers from Jammu and Kashmir will attend the review sessions in their respective divisions.
The on-spot review comes days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi on June 12 to assess preparations for the pilgrimage. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, heads of paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies and other senior officials from the MHA and the Union Territory administration.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Sources further said that nearly 90 percent deployment of security forces for the pilgrimage has already been completed, while the remaining deployment is expected to be in place before June 20, around 12 to 13 days ahead of the Yatra.
The MHA has approved the deployment of 670 companies of paramilitary forces for the pilgrimage across Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority of the companies being deployed in Kashmir division.
Apart from security arrangements, the high-level delegation is also expected to review accommodation, transportation, langar facilities, healthcare, sanitation and other logistical arrangements related to the pilgrimage.
Officials said authorities are expecting a significant turnout of pilgrims this year in view of the heavy influx of tourists into Jammu and Kashmir and the increasing number of registrations for the pilgrimage.
In Jammu, security deployment will begin from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir. Along with police personnel, paramilitary forces will secure the Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Srinagar National Highways, railway stations, airports, bus stands and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, from where pilgrims depart in escorted convoys.
“All places meant for accommodation of the pilgrims will also be fully protected,” sources said.
In Kashmir, extensive security arrangements are being put in place at the Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps, along both pilgrimage routes, at the holy cave shrine and at all locations designated for the stay and movement of pilgrims.
Sources said overall security across Jammu and Kashmir is also being further strengthened ahead of the pilgrimage.
The review meetings are expected to focus on deployment along the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes, counter-terrorism measures, protection of pilgrim convoys, emergency response systems, healthcare facilities, communication networks and overall logistical preparedness.
Special emphasis is also likely to be laid on intelligence coordination among agencies, surveillance measures along the pilgrimage routes and contingency planning to deal with any unforeseen challenges or security threats.
It is important to note that the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3, 2026, amid heightened security arrangements. (JKNS)