Security tightened for Amarnath Yatra; extra checkpoints planned in Jammu
The 38-day-long yatra is scheduled to start on July 3 from the twin routes — the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district — to the 3,880-metre-high shrine of Amarnath.
Read: Amarnath yatra routes declared 'no-flying zones' from July 1 to Aug 10
The first batch of pilgrims will leave for Kashmir from Bhagwati Nagar a day before the start of the yatra.
"All the officers were directed to strengthen all the nakas (checking points), especially during night hours. They were also directed to identify places where more nakas can be established for the security of the yatris," a police spokesperson said.
This was conveyed to the police officers by Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Jammu-Samba-Kathua range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, during a security audit of various police and paramilitary deployments in and around the base camp, lodgements, yatra route, CCTV installations, and parking areas.
Read more: Back-to-back security review meetings held in Kashmir for safe Amarnath Yatra
Sharma conducted a security review of Ram Mandir Purani Mandi, Geeta Bhawan Parade, the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar, various routes, and the highway, the spokesperson said.
He also interacted with officers and security personnel of the CISF deployed at Ram Mandir Purani Mandi, in Jammu and directed them to remain extra alert at their posts, the spokesperson said.
Also read: Tight security arrangements made for Amarnath yatra, pilgrims should visit in large numbers: J&K LG
All Station House Officers (SHOs) were also directed to remain alert and intensify security measures and patrolling during night hours.
The Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu serves as the main base camp for Amarnath pilgrims before they proceed to the Kashmir Valley to pay obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high shrine of Amarnath.
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India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
Amarnath Yatra 2025: Over 26,800 Devotees Complete Journey In 2 Days, Fresh Batch Of 6,979 Leaves For Kashmir
New Delhi: The annual Amarnath Yatra continues with strong momentum as over 26,800 pilgrims have had 'darshan' at the holy cave shrine in the last two days, officials confirmed on Saturday. A fresh batch of 6,979 yatris departed from Jammu this morning for the Kashmir Valley, heading toward the sacred Amarnath shrine, which is located at an altitude of 3,888 metres in the Himalayas. The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which began on July 3, has seen a high turnout of devotees in its initial days. This year's yatra concludes on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Officials said the new group of pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys consisting of 312 vehicles. 'Another batch of 6,979 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in the morning in two escorted convoys of 312 vehicles for the Valley,' they said. Among them, 2,753 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while the remaining 4,226 pilgrims are heading to Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, a traditional route for the yatra. In a move to enhance facilities for the yatris, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated a new Yatri Niwas at the Baltal base camp on Friday. The newly inaugurated complex includes a disaster management centre and is part of a broader initiative to upgrade pilgrim infrastructure under the ONGC's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project. While the Baltal Yatri Niwas has already become operational, similar facilities are nearing completion at Bijbehara, Nunwan (Pahalgam), and Sidhra (Jammu). These yatri shelters are equipped with dormitories, sewage treatment plants, and essential utilities to improve the comfort and safety of pilgrims. The Sidhra facility, built over 8,500 square metres, is being developed as a sustainable five-storey (G+5) structure featuring solar panels and is expected to be fully operational by September 2026. Collectively, the infrastructure upgrade will span 30,955 square metres, enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience. Heightened Security Following Terror Attack This year's yatra is being conducted under unprecedented multi-layered security, following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians after allegedly segregating them based on their religion at Baisaran meadow. In response to the attack, security measures have been significantly intensified. An additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to reinforce the presence of the Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and local police forces. 'All transit camps en route to the two base camps, and the entire stretch from Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu to the cave shrine, are secured by layered security arrangements,' officials said. Locals Welcome Pilgrims to Valley In a heartfelt gesture, local Kashmiris welcomed the first batch of pilgrims as they crossed into the Valley through the Navyug Tunnel at Qazigund. Holding garlands and placards, they greeted the yatris, symbolically expressing solidarity and condemning the earlier terror attack. To many, this act of unity sent a strong message that the people of Kashmir stand in support of the pilgrimage and reject terrorism. Officials noted that the local population has extended full cooperation, as they have traditionally done in previous years, to ensure the yatra proceeds peacefully and smoothly. Routes and Traditions The Amarnath cave shrine, located in the Kashmir Himalayas, is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for devotees of Lord Shiva. The shrine houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite, believed to symbolise Lord Shiva and his divine powers. Pilgrims believe that the structure waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. According to legend, Lord Shiva narrated the secrets of eternal life and immortality to Mata Parvati inside this very cave. It is also said that two mountain pigeons overheard the divine conversation and have since become part of the legend. Even today, pilgrims often report seeing a pair of pigeons flying out of the cave when the yatra begins — a phenomenon considered a divine sign. Pilgrims can reach the shrine via two routes: The Pahalgam route, which is the traditional path, covers 46 km through Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, and typically takes four days on foot. The Baltal route, which is shorter at 14 km, allows pilgrims to complete the trek to the shrine and return on the same day. This year, for security reasons, helicopter services have not been made available to yatris. With more pilgrims arriving daily and improved infrastructure and security in place, the Amarnath Yatra 2025 is set to continue as a major spiritual and cultural event, drawing devotees from across India despite the challenges. Authorities remain on high alert to ensure the safe and successful completion of the yatra for all.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
MiG-29K T-shirts, faith in Army, and a call from Bhole Baba: An unprecedented Amarnath Yatra picks up
The whirring of the helicopter blades breaks the silence in the lush green mountains of Pahalgam. Every few minutes, an armoured vehicle rumbles past, with the personnel inside scanning the crowd. It is palpable that this year's Amarnath Yatra is taking place under the shadow of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, wherein 26 civilians were killed on the picturesque meadows in southern Kashmir. It used to be a celebration where devotees would jibe to EDM remixes of the latest devotional songs. This time, at the Nunwan base camp, the first campsite for the yatris, there is silence – no melodies that sadhus play, no shouts of Bum Bum Bhole. Instead, what's audible is the sound of metal detectors and a loudspeaker that regularly warns pilgrims not to go near the Lidder River, where chances of drowning are high. The yatris navigate through several security measures, including RFID tags that enable facial recognition, a physical pat-down, and bag examination through X-ray machines. The camp is equipped with 550 tents, 17 shops, 300 toilets, and 70 baths, all arranged in a grid, and can accommodate up to 5,500 pilgrims. However, the tents have barely filled up at noon on Friday. Mohammad Shami's three tents remain empty: 'Yesterday, I managed to fill them. I charge Rs 600 for a tent equipped with a bed, an electricity connection, and a blanket.' Durgesh Kumar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, stands alone, his right sleeve pinned to his shirt where his arm should be. Ten years ago, a flour mill accident claimed his limb, but not his determination. 'My group of 30 people have left,' he said. Kumar headed here from Jammu when he was unable to get an RFID tag there. 'There is massive enthusiasm in Jammu. I was not getting a token. But Bhole blessed me with one today. I hope to catch up with my group soon. My wife and two children cried when I decided to come to Pahalgam. But I am undeterred,' he said. Then there's Gautam Mahato, who journeyed from Kharagpur. His white T-shirt, printed in Thailand by his employer, bears his photograph alongside his boss's son, a gift for his work as a contractor. 'My ticket was cancelled six times in the past,' Mahato said, beaming. 'I try every year, but Baba doesn't call me. This year, I got the chance to come.' 'My wife cried a lot. She said, 'Why do you go there when Bhole Baba has stopped you six times?' I told her this time, God has called me, so I will go,' he said. For some pilgrims, the terror attack has become a catalyst for participation rather than deterrence. Anil Kumar from the Ram Mandir Sansthan group in Ayodhya leads 11 first-time pilgrims. 'Humare andar aur ichcha jaagi,' he said. 'We wanted to come to Amarnath because of the terror attack,' said Arjun Jaiswal, another member of the group. The sentiment is echoed by a group of 43 people from Gorakhpur, many wearing MiG 29K T-shirts in support of Operation Sindoor. They have been making this pilgrimage for several years. Sarvajit Gupta (23), from the Gorakhpur group, articulated what many feel: 'I told my family that if the Indian Army is there, then there is nothing to fear. When our family asked us not to go, it lit a fire in our hearts. We decided to rope in as many people as possible. We have come here to show that we won't bow to fear.' At ground zero in Pahalgam, personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police now work alongside local police in intensive frisking operations that can stretch for hours. A BSF constable in dark aviators and a tactical face mask politely declines a family's request for a selfie. 'Maaf karna, authority nahi hai,' he said. This is his third posting for the Amarnath Yatra, and he has watched the security apparatus evolve into something unprecedented. 'There is no scope for any mistake,' the constable said, his eyes scanning the crowd even as he spoke. At the Pahalgam main market, the berry shops, Kashmir handloom stores and tea shops barely have any customers. Three women from Bhopal wait for their husbands to join them here. Lata Kushwaha left her 3-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son with their grandparents back home. Her relative Lakshmi Kushwaha has the same worry; her 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter are hundreds of miles away. 'We always go somewhere,' said Priya Kushwaha, the third woman. 'This time, we thought we would go to Amarnath. We went to Kedarnath last year, and we got everything in a single day.' They left in a group of 18, but not all have got their RFID tags. Three days were spent running from pillar to post in Jammu, chasing the elusive registration passes that would grant them access to the holy cave. 'We don't care about the terror attack,' Priya said. 'We just want to do darshan no matter what.' Jahid Azad, the assistant director of the Tourism department at Pahalgam, told The Indian Express, 'We expected the crowd to be pretty low due to the unfortunate terror attack. This time, we were caught by surprise as many yatris came for darshan from the Pahalgam route. But overall, the tourism footfall in Pahalgam has taken a hit. We are preparing a report to enumerate the economic impact of this.' Azad said they were expecting 1,000 yatris per day, but the numbers have gone up to 3,000-4,000. 'From the Pahalgam route, 12,000 pilgrims have left since the yatra began. We have to see how long this keeps up,' he said.
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- India Gazette
Over 20,000 devotees conclude pilgrimage to Amarnath: J-K LG Manoj Sinha
Ganderbal (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that over 20,000 devotees coming from different parts of the country have already finished their pilgrimage to Amarnath in the Ganderbal district. He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming the devotees with 'open hearts'. LG Sinha apprised the reporters about the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Shrine Board in expanding their services for devotees. 'More than 20,000 devotees had 'darshan' of Baba Amarnath so far. They are coming from different parts of the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming them with an open heart. J-K administration, the government and the Shrine board have expanded their services to the people, and ONGC, under their CSR initiative, has built Yatri Niwas to help the devotees,' Sinha told reporters here. LG Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board Yatri Niwas in Baltal, Ganderbal district, and flagged off around 6,000 devotees for the Amarnath Yatra, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage. 'For the past two days, an unprecedented spiritual celebration has begun in Jammu and Kashmir. With the start of the Baba Amarnath Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a new energy...A huge crowd of devotees from across the country and abroad has thronged for this pilgrimage. On the morning of July 2, I had the privilege of flagging off around 6,000 devotees... I feel blessed to dedicate this pilgrim accommodation to the devotees of Baba,' Sinha said while addressing the gathering here. He also inaugurated the Disaster Management Complex at Baltal. On Wednesday, Sinha paid obeisance at Daati Maa Dev Sthan in the border village of Changiya, in the Arnia area of the Jammu region. Upon his visit, LG Sinha reiterated the Government of India's commitment to the inclusive development of the border area. 'The sacred Daati Maa Dev Sthan will be brought to the religious tourism map,' the LG said, adding, 'I also pray to Mata Daati for a safe and smooth pilgrimage for all the devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji.' This came after he flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra from Jammu, amidst multi-tier security. J-K LG Manoj Sinha lauded the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board for making excellent facilities for the Yatra. 'Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces have also maintained tight security. Devotees from all over the country are here. The enthusiasm is very high. The devotees of Bholenath have neglected all the terror attacks and have reached in huge numbers. I am hopeful that this year's Yatra would be even better than the previous ones,' he said. (ANI)
