45 Special Mountain Rescue Teams Deployed for Upcoming Amarnath Yatra Pilgrimage
Authorities have deployed 45 specialized mountain rescue teams across the Amarnath Yatra routes to ensure pilgrim safety. Enhanced security measures, advanced surveillance tech, and a final government review are being finalized ahead of the pilgrimage, which begins on July 3.
Highlights
- •45 specialized mountain rescue teams have been deployed at 21 strategic locations along the Amarnath Yatra routes.
- •Security measures feature advanced technologies including RCIED jammers, CCTV systems, and vehicle-mounted inspection units.
- •The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from July 3 to August 28.
- •A high-level MHA delegation will conduct a final security and logistical review in J&K on June 20-21.
Authorities have mobilized 45 special mountain rescue teams to ensure safety along the routes of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, officially flagged off these units, which are set to be stationed at 21 critical locations leading to the holy cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
The specialized teams are composed of personnel from the J&K Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Border Security Force (BSF). These responders have undergone rigorous training to provide essential assistance to pilgrims and effectively manage emergency situations in the rugged, high-altitude terrain.
Advanced Security and Operational Preparedness
The SDRF Director, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, emphasized that these teams will remain on high alert throughout the pilgrimage to provide rapid support. Furthermore, significant upgrades to equipment and infrastructure have been implemented this year to ensure the personnel can deliver superior services. To further assess coordination among various agencies and overall security readiness, mock drills have already been conducted across districts like Pulwama and Kulgam.
The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and will continue until August 28. In preparation for the event, a robust, multi-layered security grid is being established, stretching from Lakhanpur to the sacred cave shrine. This includes the deployment of advanced technology such as portable RCIED jammers, CCTV surveillance, X-ray baggage scanners, and vehicle-mounted inspection systems. Authorities have already completed approximately 90 percent of the required security deployment, which includes 670 companies of paramilitary forces.
A high-level delegation from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, headed by Home Secretary Govind Mohan, is slated to visit the region on June 20 and 21 to conduct a comprehensive on-ground review. This visit will involve critical meetings in both Jammu and Srinagar with civil administration, intelligence agencies, and security forces to finalize logistical and safety arrangements.
Additionally, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma recently conducted a site inspection in Pahalgam and Chandanwari. During the visit, he reviewed the prevailing security scenario and emphasized the Indian Army's commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all devotees through close coordination and vigilant monitoring. Beyond security, officials are working to ensure that essential services—including healthcare, sanitation, water supply, and communication—are fully equipped to manage the surge of pilgrims expected during the annual event.
