New Delhi, Jun 12 (JKNS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review security and operational preparedness for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3, with top security and administrative officials discussing measures to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
As per details available with news agency JKNS, the meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, CRPF Director General G.P. Singh and other senior officials.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in the Himalayas will witness extensive security arrangements, with Central and Union Territory agencies working in close coordination to ensure the safety of devotees.
Officials said that advanced surveillance technology, intelligence-based monitoring and multi-agency coordination are being integrated to create a secure environment along both the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also reviewed the preparations and directed all departments and security agencies to ensure seamless arrangements related to infrastructure, healthcare, sanitation, connectivity, security and pilgrim services.
Officials said Jammu and Kashmir Police has deployed sophisticated screening and anti-sabotage equipment, including portable RCIED jammers, explosive detectors, deep search metal detectors, non-linear junction detectors, multi-type CCTV systems, vehicle-mounted X-ray baggage inspection systems and other specialised security devices.
To strengthen verification and monitoring, police have also launched the QR-based “Pahchan App” for digital verification of workers and vendors operating along the Yatra routes. The system is aimed at preventing unauthorised entry into the pilgrimage ecosystem and improving accountability and crowd management.
Authorities have intensified tenant verification drives, inspections of lodgement centres and intelligence-gathering operations in the region.
Meanwhile, CRPF Director General G.P. Singh recently reviewed security and logistical arrangements along the Baltal axis and directed commanders to adopt proactive measures while maintaining a robust security grid through close coordination among all stakeholders.
Officials said all agencies are focused on ensuring a secure, smooth and incident-free Amarnath Yatra this year. (JKNS)
