Jammu, May 29 (JKNS): In one of the largest-ever security deployments for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in consultation with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and security agencies, has approved deployment of 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for the upcoming 57-day-long pilgrimage beginning July 3 and concluding on August 28.
According to details available with news agency JKNS, this will be the highest-ever deployment of paramilitary forces for the annual pilgrimage, aimed at ensuring foolproof security arrangements for lakhs of devotees expected to visit the holy cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas.
The security grid will extend from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, up to the holy cave shrine, including the twin pilgrimage routes of Baltal and Pahalgam, Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu, base camps at Baltal and Nunwan, as well as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other sensitive locations frequented by pilgrims, official sources told JKNS.
Sources said additional CAPF companies will begin arriving in Jammu and Kashmir from early June, while the entire deployment is expected to be completed by June 25, nearly a week before commencement of the yatra.
The Army will also be deployed on strategic heights overlooking the yatra routes and near the cave shrine to strengthen the security apparatus.
“Jammu and Kashmir Police will also play a major role in the security arrangements, while deployment plans are being designed in such a way that regular anti-terror operations across the Union Territory are not affected,” officials said.
Security agencies are placing special focus on the Baltal and Chandanwari routes, besides maintaining tight vigil around the cave shrine and major transit camps. Regular Road Opening Parties (ROPs), area domination exercises, frisking points and intensified patrolling will be carried out on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway during the pilgrimage period.
Officials further said the Jammu-Srinagar railway corridor will also witness heightened security arrangements this year as many pilgrims are expected to travel via Vande Bharat Express trains operating between Jammu and Srinagar.
At present, two Vande Bharat trains are operational on the route and authorities are considering increasing the number of services during the pilgrimage period.
Sources said security on the railway track passing through Udhampur, Katra, Reasi, Banihal and Qazigund has already been strengthened and additional measures will be implemented ahead of the yatra.
Meanwhile, over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have already registered for this year’s Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra since the registration process started on April 15 through designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India and Yes Bank across the country.
The annual pilgrimage will commence simultaneously from the Baltal-Sonamarg route and the traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. (JKNS)
