The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir administration, has approved the deployment of 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure foolproof security for the upcoming 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28.
According to official sources, this will be the largest-ever deployment of paramilitary forces for the annual pilgrimage, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lakhs of devotees expected to visit the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
Sources said the security plan has been finalized after extensive consultations between the MHA and senior security officials in Jammu and Kashmir. The CAPF personnel will be deployed across the pilgrimage route, beginning from Lakhanpur, the entry point to Jammu and Kashmir, up to the Amarnath cave shrine.
The deployment will cover key locations including the twin pilgrimage routes of Baltal and Pahalgam, the base camps at Baltal and Nunwan, Yatri Niwas Jammu, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the Pathankot-Jammu highway, and other vital areas frequented by pilgrims.
Officials said additional paramilitary units will start arriving in Jammu and Kashmir in the first week of June, with the entire deployment expected to be completed by June 25, nearly a week before the yatra begins.
The Indian Army will also play a crucial role by securing strategic heights along the pilgrimage routes and around the holy cave shrine. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police will remain actively involved in maintaining security and coordinating operations throughout the yatra period.
Sources emphasized that security arrangements have been planned in a manner that will not affect ongoing anti-terror operations across the Union Territory.
Special focus will remain on the Baltal and Chandanwari routes, the cave shrine, and major transit camps. Security at Baltal, Nunwan and Yatri Niwas Jammu will be further strengthened, while Road Opening Parties (ROPs), area domination patrols and regular surveillance will be intensified along the highways.
Authorities are also enhancing security along the Jammu-Srinagar railway corridor, particularly in view of the increasing number of pilgrims expected to travel by Vande Bharat Express trains. The railway route passing through Udhampur, Katra, Reasi, Banihal and Qazigund will remain under heightened security during the pilgrimage.
More than 3.5 lakh pilgrims have already registered for this year’s Amarnath Yatra since the registration process began on April 15 through designated bank branches across the country. The number of registrations continues to rise.
The annual pilgrimage will commence simultaneously from the Baltal-Sonamarg and Nunwan-Pahalgam routes on July 3 and will conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Sawan Purnima.
Registration for the yatra is being conducted through designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Yes Bank across India.(KNC)