Amarnath Yatra: Mock drills conducted across south, central Kashmir to test coordination
Srinagar, Jun 25: In a step ahead of the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra 2025, security forces conducted coordinated mock drills across multiple key locations in South and Central Kashmir, including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Nunwan, Lar, Kangan, Baltal, and Pantha Chowk.
The drills come in the backdrop of the complete induction of all security personnel assigned for the pilgrimage scheduled to begin on July 3. The mock exercises were jointly carried out by the J&K Police (JKP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Army Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), among others. Senior officers from the police and paramilitary units oversaw the drills and reviewed preparedness on the ground.
Officials told Greater Kashmir that the drills were aimed at testing multi-agency coordination, response time to terror threats, crowd control mechanisms, disaster management, and route protection strategies. Simulated attacks, road obstructions, and emergency medical evacuations formed core parts of the mock scenarios. At Pahalgam and Nunwan base camps, a high-alert simulation was conducted involving a mock IED blast followed by evacuation and medical response. CRPF’s bomb detection and disposal squads and JKP’s counter-insurgency teams practiced swift area sanitization protocols, while NDRF teams simulated casualty management.
Similarly, Lar and Kangan—key transit points on the Ganderbal side of the route—saw mobile patrol deployment, vehicle interception drills, and hostage rescue simulations. Drones and surveillance equipment were also tested for aerial monitoring during the Yatra period. In Baltal, considered the more challenging of the two traditional Yatra routes due to its terrain and shorter distance, ITBP and Army teams carried out night-time mock exercises involving possible ambush and infiltration scenarios from high-altitude zones. Coordination with air rescue teams was also practiced.
At Pantha Chowk, which serves as a major convergence point near Srinagar and the base for logistics and troop movement, a convoy protection and road clearance operation was simulated to mimic convoy movement disruptions.
A top police official confirmed that full induction of all security forces assigned for Yatra 2025 has been completed as of June 24. “The troops from various agencies are now on the ground, covering every vulnerable pocket along the twin routes, including high-altitude passes, forested zones, and major base camps,” he said. This year, the security grid has also been bolstered with cutting-edge surveillance tech, including facial recognition cameras at entry points, live drone monitoring, GPS-tracked pilgrim movements, and AI-backed intelligence analysis to preempt threats.
The drills were not limited to security forces alone. Civil administration, local health departments, fire and emergency services, and volunteer organizations also participated to ensure seamless coordination in crisis scenarios. Joint control rooms have already been established in Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Srinagar for 24/7monitoring during the Yatra.
“These mock drills are essential to iron out operational gaps. Given the terrain and the scale of this pilgrimage, we need 360-degree preparedness. We are satisfied with the performance of troops and systems so far. The Yatra 2025 will be among the most secure and smoothly managed pilgrimages in recent years,” a senior police official from south Kashmir said. With just a week left before the first batch of pilgrims begins their journey from the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam, confidence is growing among stakeholders and the public. Lakhs are expected to undertake the sacred journey this year. Registration numbers have already crossed thousands with more being added daily. In the coming days, additional rehearsal drills, especially involving convoy movement from Jammu to Kashmir, are expected. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a “safe, secure, and spiritually fulfilling” Yatra experience.
