DG CRPF conducts security review of Amarnath yatra in Nunwan

Srinagar, Jul 9: While reaffirming the force’s unwavering commitment to the safety and spiritual sanctity of the annual Amarnath Yatra, Director General of Central Reserve Police Force, G P Singh on Wednesday visited Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam and reviewed the security of pilgrimage.

The 2025 Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which commenced on July 3 via the twin tracks of Nunwan–Pahalgam and Baltal–Ganderbal, has already witnessed over one lakh devotees performing darshan at the holy cave. With lakhs expected to undertake the arduous pilgrimage in the coming weeks, security and logistical preparedness remain paramount.

As part of his comprehensive review, DG Singh on Tuesday traveled by road from Jammu to Srinagar, stopping at multiple strategic points along the route to assess the deployment and readiness of forces.

At the Nunwan Base Camp, on Wednesday-a critical starting point for the Yatra, Singh reviewed layered security arrangements, interacted with pilgrims, and lauded the personnel for their professionalism and dedication. “On Ground, In Command. As part of his journey along the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra route, DG CRPF @gpsinghips carried out a detailed review of the security setup at Nunwan Base Camp, Pahalgam—reinforcing CRPF’s active role in ensuring a safe and smooth pilgrimage for all devotees,” CRPF said in a post on X.

Demonstrating leadership by example, the DG spent the night at the 116 Battalion CRPF headquarters in Pahalgam, engaging in informal interactions with troops. He appreciated their alertness and underscored the importance of empathy in their service.

“At HQ 116 Bn, where he stayed overnight, the DG engaged in an informal interaction with the troops—highlighting the importance of the Yatra and our collective responsibility to make every devotee feel secure and at ease,” another post from CRPF read.

Singh’s visit to base camps in Jammu and Kashmir further reinforced CRPF’s mission to ensure a secure and seamless pilgrimage. Accompanied by senior officers, he inspected control rooms, medical aid stations, and digital monitoring systems, engaging directly with both personnel and pilgrims.

“Our mission is twofold—security and service. Each pilgrim is a responsibility, and we are committed to safeguarding not just their journey but also their faith,” DG Singh emphasized during his interactions. The CRPF has not only fortified the Yatra route with heightened security measures but also deployed Specialized Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) along the Baltal and Pahalgam axis to respond swiftly to natural emergencies. These teams have already demonstrated remarkable courage and efficiency during rescue operations.

In one such instance, the MRT on the Baltal route sprang into action within minutes following a sudden rockslide that endangered a group of pilgrims and a pony handler. The MRT secured the area, provided emergency medical aid, and coordinated the safe evacuation of the injured. “The response time was under five minutes. We immediately stabilized the injured and transported them to the nearest medical post,” said an MRT officer involved in the operation. The smooth functioning of this year’s Yatra is the result of seamless coordination between the CRPF, Jammu & Kashmir Police, NDRF, Shrine Board officials, and local administration, all aided by advanced surveillance systems, real-time tracking, and digital monitoring at key choke points.