In yet another example of how they put duty before self,brave personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Police Force were recently seen forming ahuman chain at a point in Amarnath Yatra's Baltal route to shield pilgrims fromstones falling due to rushing water.

ITBP personnel, along with those from Central Reserve PoliceForce (CRPF), J&K Police, Border Security Force (CRPF) and the Indian Army,have been deployed at various points on the twin routes to the ancient caveshrine. The 45-day journey is anything but easy with the terrain posing quite abig challenge, apart from security challenges. News agency ANI recently posteda video which showed how security personnel from ITBP put their bodies on theline to allow pilgrims to cross a precarious wooden bridge near Kali Matapoint. With water rushing under the bridge from a steep elevation, severalstones too came down at high speeds. With ITBP forming a human shield, however,the pilgrims managed to scurry across the bridge safely. The contribution ofsecurity personnel in ensuring a successful Amarnath Yatra each year isenormous. This year, several new measures have been put into place, includinguse of drones, CCTVs and the development of a mobile app so that the passage ofpilgrims can be tracked constantly and assistance provided in a swift mannerif, when and where needed.