Amarnath Yatra gets unprecedented security cover
More than one lakh security personnel will be deployed along the Amarnath Yatra route this year to ensure foolproof security for the 57-day-long annual pilgrimage, which begins on July 3.
The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimages, drawing lakhs of devotees annually to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas.
This year, the Union Home Ministry has decided to induct at least 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for yatra duty. Last year, around 580 companies were deployed for the yatra duty.
This is the highest-ever deployment of paramilitary forces for the pilgrimage, following a detailed security review with the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Given the extended duration of nearly two months and the expected large turnout of devotees from across the country seeking darshan of the holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva in the South Kashmir Himalayas, the Centre has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to any security lapses.
Registration for the pilgrimage has already crossed 3.5 lakh devotees. Online and offline registration began on April 15 through 550 designated bank branches, and the numbers continue to rise steadily.
The Jammu-Srinagar railway track will also witness heightened security. “Many pilgrims are expected to travel to Srinagar via Vande Bharat Express trains. Currently, two trains operate between Jammu and Srinagar, and the number is likely to increase during the yatra period,” sources added. Security arrangements along the route via Udhampur, Katra, Reasi, Banihal, and Qazigund will be further strengthened.
Official sources said paramilitary troops will begin arriving in Jammu and Kashmir in early June, with full field deployment completed by the third week of June 2026.
“It has been decided that 670 companies of CAPFs will be deployed from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, right up to the cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
This includes base camps at Nunwan (Pahalgam) and Baltal, Yatri Niwas in Jammu from where daily morning convoys originate, the Pathankot-Jammu and Jammu-Srinagar National Highways, both twin yatra tracks (Baltal and Chandanwari), and all other locations frequented by pilgrims,” the sources said.
The entire deployment will be in place on or before June 25, nearly a week before the pilgrimage commences.
The Indian Army will man strategic heights along the yatra track, including areas around the Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine and key stretches of the National Highways.
Jammu and Kashmir Police will play a major role in the overall security grid. Deployment has been planned in coordination so that routine anti-terror operations across the Union Territory are not affected.
Special emphasis has been placed on the twin routes of Baltal and Chandanwari, the holy cave shrine, and the three major base camps, Baltal, Nunwan, and Yatri Niwas Jammu, which will receive maximum security cover. Road Opening Parties (ROPs) and regular highway patrols by paramilitary forces and local police will be intensified.
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Very emotional religious piligrimage with ONE lakh security is enormous effort by the govt & sincerity of the defense forces in guarding the piligrimage reminds me of Lord Vishnu protecting his devotees. The defense forces are blessed by every devotee who is protected in his piligrimage to the holy places