Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 1: The annual Amarnath Yatra, one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus, is set to commence on July 2, 2025, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will flag off the first batch of Yatris from Bhagwati Nagar base camp.
From Kashmir Valley, the Yatra will begin on July 3 from Baltal and Pahalgam routes, under unprecedented security measures following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and the subsequent Operation Sindoor.
This year’s pilgrimage, which concludes on August 9, marks the first major religious event in Jammu and Kashmir since the tragic attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, at Baisaran meadow. The Jammu and Kashmir administration, in coordination with central security forces, has rolled out a comprehensive security framework to ensure the safety of pilgrims, while also suspending helicopter services due to heightened security concerns.
The 38-day pilgrimage, shorter than last year’s 52 days, will see devotees traverse the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district to reach the sacred Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880
meters.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has reported that over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered, despite a 10.19% drop in registrations following the April attack, which was attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha noted that confidence is gradually returning, with 85,000 pilgrims reconfirming their registrations, thanks to robust security measures.
In response to the terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor—a targeted military strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—security arrangements have been significantly bolstered. The Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB, totaling over 42,000 personnel. This is a marked increase from previous years, with 180 companies specifically assigned to the Jammu division alone, 30 more than last year. The CRPF, as the n This year’s pilgrimage marks the first major religious event in J&K since the Pahalgam terror attack attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration, in coordination with central security forces, has rolled out a comprehensive security framework to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has reported that over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered for the pilgrimage.
To enhance safety, all Yatra routes, including Lakhanpur-Jammu-Qazigund-Srinagar-Sonamarg and Lakhanpur-Jammu-Qazigund-Pahalgam, have been declared a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 to August 10, prohibiting drones, balloons, and helicopter services.
The SASB cited recent helicopter accidents in other states and heightened security threats as reasons for suspending chopper services, which typically served only 8% of pilgrims.
Exceptions will be made for medical evacuations, disaster management, and security operations, with detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be issued. Additionally, a facial recognition system (FRS) has been installed along the Pahalgam route to detect blacklisted individuals in real-time, while digital ID cards for pilgrims and pony riders, jammers, and Quick Action Teams (QATs) ensure seamless tracking and threat neutralization.
The security framework, codenamed ‘Operation Shiva,’ involves daily road-opening operations to detect explosives, mock drills to test coordination, and a three-tier security setup at base camps like Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu and Yatri Niwas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a recent visit, emphasized “utmost vigilance” to ensure a seamless pilgrimage, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed hopes for a successful Yatra with a strong pilgrim turnout. The administration has also widened the Yatra track from four to 12 feet and conducted digital mapping and route audits to enhance safety and logistics.
Despite the shadow cast by the Pahalgam attack, pilgrims remain undeterred. “I have faith in Amarnath. Terrorists can try anything, but they won’t succeed,” said a devotee at Jammu’s base camp. The administration’s efforts, coupled with the resilience of pilgrims, aim to make this year’s Yatra a symbol of unity and determination in the face of adversity. |
