Srinagar Police assess, fine-tune Amarnath Yatra preparedness
Srinagar, Jun 25: With the Annual Amarnath Yatra set to commence in a few days, the Srinagar Police, in coordination with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) conducted an extensive mock drill on Wednesday at the Yatra Niwas base camp in Pantha Chowk.
The exercise was aimed at reviewing and strengthening the overall security and emergency response mechanisms ahead of the high-profile annual pilgrimage, one of the largest footfall events in Kashmir, attracting lakhs from across the country.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr. G.V Sundeep Chakravarthy said that mock exercises were simultaneously carried out across eight zones of the city. These included high-sensitivity areas that lie along the route of the Amarnath Yatra. He was speaking to the media while the drill concluded.
“The purpose of today’s drill was to assess and fine-tune our preparedness for a range of incidents and emergencies including Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts, terrorist attacks, fires, and stampedes,” SSP Chakravarthy said. “The administration is fully prepared to handle any eventuality. The safety of pilgrims is our top priority.”
The mock drills included coordinated responses to simulated IED explosions near pilgrim convoys, terrorist infiltration attempts along the Yatra route, fire and smoke evacuation drills within lodging facilities, crowd control and stampede prevention measures at Yatra base camps.
These drills were designed not only to evaluate the response time and coordination among various security wings but also to identify logistical or communication gaps that could impede emergency response during the Yatra.
To augment ground security, SSP Chakravarthy said that the Face Recognition System (FRS) deployed at key transit and accommodation points is being upgraded to ensure seamless identification and tracking of suspicious individuals.
“The FRS technology is being enhanced and integrated with a broader surveillance network to ensure a foolproof security mechanism. This will allow for real-time monitoring and quick identification of threats,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of local involvement, the SSP urged local residents and pilgrims to extend their cooperation during the Yatra period, particularly in relation to traffic restrictions, convoy movement timings, and security screenings.
“Public support is essential in making this Yatra safe and successful. We urge all citizens, especially those living near the route, to cooperate with authorities and report anything unusual immediately,” he said.
The Amarnath Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees each year, has been the target of security threats in the past. In response, the government has set up a multi-layered security grid, including drone surveillance, RFID tracking of pilgrims, deployment of bomb disposal squads, and quick response teams stationed at key points.
CAPF personnel, J&K Police, and intelligence units are working in close coordination to ensure no loophole remains in the security apparatus. All vehicles, accommodation centers, and pilgrim camps are being regularly sanitized and checked.
