Three-tier security in place in J&K for Amarnath Yatra

Around 7-8 lakh pilgrims expected to attend the yatra after a gap of two years; IGP holds a security review meet with army, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, JKP & NDRF

SRINAGAR: : With a day left for the start of the Amarnath Yatra, high-level security is in place across Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Kashmir valley, where foolproof security arrangements have been made for the peaceful conduct of the yatra, which is taking place after two years.

Three-tier security will be in place for the entire yatra route, including the mountains in the south and central Kashmir. From the past one week, top officials have been engaged in a series of meetings for the safe conduct of the Amarnath Yatra. This time, officials are hopeful that near about seven to eight lakh yatris from across the country could visit the holy cave up in the mountains in the south Kashmir’s Pahalgam area.

Inspector-general of police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar on Tuesday visited the holy cave and the yatri camp, Panjtarni.

“The IGP held a security review meeting with officers from the army, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, JKP, NDRF and the civil administration. Later, the IGP physically inspected deployment of forces on the ground and instructed for better coordination and joint efforts to achieve incident-free and smooth yatra,” a police spokesman said.

On Monday, Kumar had visited Anantnag and chaired the final joint security review meeting in which besides, top police officers, the senior army officers were also present.

The IGP highlighted the imminent threat from terrorists and stressed for strengthening the intelligence grid so as to neutralise them. “He discussed the other threat perceptions for the yatra as well as tourists and emphasised the need for the establishment of a proper security grid,” the Jammu and Kashmir police spokesman said, adding that district-wise security review and stock of arrangements put in place for the yatra were discussed, especially four districts of south Kashmir, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag. “The senior officers of the army and other security forces also presented a detailed presentation and shared their inputs and suggestions for strengthening the overall security grid and providing foolproof security cover to the yatris during their forward and return journey,” the spokesman said.

The officer said the special focus is laid on regular briefing and de-briefing, cut-off timings, improvised electronic devices, grenade lobbing and drone attacks.

Divisional control room established in Div Com Office to help pilgrims

JAMMU: The government has established a divisional control room in the office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to facilitate Amarnath pilgrims and notified the list and contact numbers of the officials attending the Control Room on rotational basis. For any query or help, the people/ pilgrims can contact on the landline phone number 0191-2478993 of the control room.

Admn accords rousing welcome to first batch of yatris at Lakhanpur

The administration on Tuesday welcomed the first batch of Amarnath Yatris at Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, amid spirited participation of a large number of pilgrims who turned up for annual Amarnath Yatra. The yatris were formally welcomed at the Lakhanpur base camp in Kathua district.