Road opening parties, CCTV surveillance – what this year’s security for Amarnath Yatra looks like

There is heavy security in Jammu ahead of the yatra – apart from the Jammu and Kashmir police, 180 units of paramilitary forces have been deployed, Jammu zone Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti told the media. The yatra comes two months after the terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

The new security detail this year includes road opening parties, the IGP, who along with the divisional commissioner of Jammu Ramesh Kumar, chaired a high-level meeting to review security arrangements, said. These have been deployed all along the national highway right from Lakhanpur to Banihal.

The route is under CCTV surveillance, the official said.

“Even better arrangements are being made this year, whether in terms of the number of paramilitary forces and their deployment in sensitive areas, or the CCTV surveillance,” he said. “From road opening parties to the installation of CCTV cameras, everything has been set up. The security has also been provided at langars, lodging centres.”

From July 2, the traffic police will issue a daily advisory regarding the movement of yatra convoy, he said, adding that cut off timings will be fixed for its crossing at all points. “Pilgrims intending to participate in the yatra must follow the advisory to avoid any problem or inconvenience,” he said.