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| Ahead of Amarnath Yatra, Army Chief reviews preparedness in Kashmir | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, June 22: With less than two weeks to go for the commencement of this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday reviewed the security preparedness in the Kashmir Valley. He assessed the readiness of the security grid to ensure a safe and peaceful pilgrimage season.
During his visit, General Dwivedi interacted with officers of local Army formations and was briefed on the prevailing security situation in the region. He was also updated on the coordinated measures being undertaken by security forces to facilitate the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage. In a post shared on social media platform X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG-PI) stated that the Army Chief was briefed on operational strategies and the broader security landscape.
The briefing included a demonstration of the integration of cutting-edge technologies into security operations, aimed at improving surveillance, decision-making, and response times.
“General Upendra Dwivedi, #COAS, reviewed the security grid in the Kashmir region and assessed preparedness for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025. He was briefed on the current operational dynamics and the broader strategic landscape, including a demonstration on the integration of advanced technologies in operations, leading to smarter decisions, enhanced surveillance, and improved response mechanisms,” the post read.
The Army Chief also commended the personnel of the Chinar Corps for their steadfast role in counter-terrorism operations and their commitment to maintaining peace and promoting development in the region.
“The #COAS lauded all ranks of #ChinarCorps for their unwavering commitment to ensuring peace and stability through decisive counter-terror operations and initiatives aimed at the development of the region and the upliftment of the local population,” the ADG-PI post added.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025 is scheduled to begin on July 3, with pilgrim movement starting simultaneously from both the Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The pilgrimage will culminate on August 9, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Unlike last year’s 52-day duration, this year’s Yatra has been shortened to 38 days. Officials clarified that the decision was made in advance and is based on auspicious religious dates. It is not linked to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives and left 16 injured.
Registrations, which began on April 14, are ongoing and can be completed online through the official website of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) or offline at over 540 authorized bank branches nationwide.
To ensure foolproof security for the Yatra, the Centre has approved the deployment of 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), translating to approximately 42,000 personnel. These units will be tasked with securing pilgrimage routes, base camps, convoy movement, and other sensitive areas, including urban hubs like Srinagar.
Of the 581 companies, 424 will be newly deployed, while around 80 companies currently engaged in Operation Sindoor will be reassigned to Yatra duty.
Security forces have been instructed to report to their assigned locations by mid-June. In parallel, the installation of advanced surveillance systems is underway across border areas and vulnerable locations. The Border Security Force (BSF) has confirmed that next-generation sensors, capable of detecting cross-border infiltration attempts, are being rapidly deployed to bolster security. |
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