Amarnath Yatra To Be Secured By 581 Paramilitary Units In First Major Pilgrimage After Pahalgam Attack

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the deployment of 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure tight security for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, set to begin on 3 July, the Indian Express reported.

This will be the first major pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir following the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 innocent lives.

According to the Indian Express report, the MHA has written to the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary and the state police chief detailing the allocation of 156 CAPF companies already stationed in the region.

These include 91 companies from the CRPF, 30 from the SSB, 15 from the CISF, 13 from the BSF, and seven from the ITBP. Each company, comprising around 75-80 personnel, will be deployed for shrine security, route safety, area domination, and escort duties.

An additional 425 companies will be made available by 10 June, comprising 130 BSF, 128 CRPF (including five all-women units), 67 SSB, 55 ITBP, and 45 CISF companies. All 581 companies will remain stationed until the conclusion of the pilgrimage on 9 August, after which they will be withdrawn.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recently chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar to review security measures. The state administration is coordinating closely with central forces to finalise deployment plans.

A Jammu and Kashmir Police officer stated that the paramilitary companies will be deployed for securing the cave shrine, pilgrimage routes, area surveillance, yatra escorts, and other related security responsibilities during the Amarnath Yatra.

The Amarnathji Shrine Board has opened online registration for devotees, marking the beginning of preparations for this annual spiritual journey amidst heightened vigilance.