Latest news with #ShriAmarnath
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
J&K: Security heightened for Amarnath Yatra after Pahalgam terror attack
With lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha performing the 'Pratham Pujan' at the Shri Amarnath cave shrine on Wednesday, the stage is set for the annual 38-day pilgrimage to south Kashmir Himalayas, beginning July 3 and concluding on August 9. In the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 tourist lives and left scores injured, security arrangements for this year's pilgrimage will be the most stringent yet. A senior home department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that nearly 3.6 lakh pilgrims have registered for the yatra so far. 'To ensure their safety, over 581 companies of paramilitary forces—including CRPF, SSB, ITBP, and BSF—will be deployed. This excludes the routine presence of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the army. Each paramilitary company typically comprises 100-110 personnel,' he said. 'Security forces on the ground, including Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), will be equipped with automatic weapons, surveillance equipment, satellite phones, and bomb disposal squads. Jammers will also be installed to pre-empt potential terror threats. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags will be mandatory for pilgrims and service providers to enable real-time tracking of their movement,' he added. The pilgrims will follow two routes: the traditional 48km track from Pahalgam in Anantnag district and the 14km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The first batch of pilgrims will leave Jammu on July 2, escorted under tight security, the official informed. Union home minister Amit Shah, during his May 30 visit to Poonch, had instructed security forces to maintain heightened alertness and vigilance throughout the yatra. Jammu divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar has directed completion of all ongoing works at Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas—the base camp in Jammu—by June 20. Pilgrims leave from this site every morning for both Pahalgam and Baltal. Kumar, along with inspector general of police Bhim Sen Tuti, reviewed yatra preparations at the site on Friday. Fire drills, fire extinguishers, and CCTV installation—particularly around langar (community kitchen) areas—are being prioritised. The health department has been directed to ensure availability of medicines, ambulances and medical staff at base camps and along the routes. Meanwhile, Kathua district, the gateway to J&K, has established 36 lodgement centres and 6 RFID registration counters to manage the influx of pilgrims arriving by road. NH-44 under watch The CRPF commandos will escort convoys from Jammu to Srinagar. The 250km Jammu-Srinagar NH44 will be sensitised by road opening parties of the army before convoy movement. NH-44 and the Jammu-Srinagar rail track will be under 24x7 surveillance during the 38-day pilgrimage. All roads connected to the pilgrimage route and major highways will be temporarily shut during convoy movements to ensure security. A security audit and mapping of all relevant roads and highways has been recently completed.
United News of India
3 days ago
- United News of India
Amarnath Yatra: Around 125 langars to be set up for pilgrims
Jammu, June 12 (UNI) As preparations are in full swing for an upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra starting from July 3, this year around 125 langars (community kitchen) will be set up from Lakhanpur (gateway to J&K) to the cave shrine situated in the South Kashmir Himalayas. Official sources said that nearly 125 langars will be set up from Lakhanpur to the cave shrine, including on the twin Pahalgam and Baltal routes. They said that the trucks carrying langar material and infrastructural equipment to install sheds will start reaching Jammu and Kashmir from June 15. "The process of installing langars will be completed by the end of this month," they said. This year, the 38-day-long yatra starting from July 3 will conclude on August 9, on the day of Raksha Bandhan. The first batch will leave from Jammu on July 2. Officials said that apart from the Yatra routes, more than 50 langars will be installed from Lakhanpur to Srinagar and Pahalgam and Baltal after being permitted by the Amarnath Shrine Board to the langar organisations. They stated that langar organisations from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other states will be setting up community kitchens en route to the Cave Shrine. They said that out of the total, 25 langars will be organised in Baltal and Domel, 13 langars at the holy cave, 8 at Sheshnag, 5 at Pissutop, 12 at Panchtarni, 7 at Chandanwari, 9 at Nunwan and 5 at Zojibal. Five langars will also be set up at the Jammu base camp Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar and about 50 on Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar national highways. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has also finalised the food menu for the langar organisations and asked them to avoid oily items. The Shrine Board has also encouraged the pilgrims to eat nutritious and healthy food. The holy cave of Shri Amarnath is located in Pahalgam of Anantnag district and is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is located at an altitude of about 13,600 feet above sea level. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday also inspected the maintenance, upgradation and widening of the Yatra track en route and took a first-hand appraisal of the measures taken by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and Border Road Organisation (BRO) to ensure the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees. Sinha also performed the Pratham Puja at the Holy Cave, marking the ceremonial beginning of the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra. The Lieutenant Governor urged all the devotees of Baba Barfani to visit in large numbers for the Holy Yatra and prayed for the progress of J&K and the nation. UNI VBH ARN
