Srinagar: Multi-layered and in-depth security arrangements have been put in place for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra to ensure safe and smooth pilgrimage, Kashmir Police chief V K Birdi said on Wednesday.
Amarnath Yatra this year is starting next week. “Jammu-Kashmir Police and other security forces have made all security arrangements for the yatra. Compared to last year, this time there are multi-layered and in-depth security arrangements so as to make the yatra safe and smooth,” the Inspector General of Kashmir Police told reporters in Anantnag.
Birdi visited the Nunwan base camp of the yatra along the Pahalgam axis and reviewed the security arrangements for the pilgrimage which starts July 3.
The IGP said the security arrangements for the 38-day pilgrimage have been divided into different levels, including zonal, and security drills were held at every level on Wednesday ahead of the yatra.
“The aim of the drills is to refine our alertness, and preparedness of our actions and responses at the time of any contingency. Such drills were conducted at every place like camps, roads or interior sections along the yatra routes so that all the security forces remain alert and know what specific tasks they have to carry out to fight any contingency,” he added.
Asked about the local support for the yatra, Birdi said the yatra cannot be conducted without the support of the local population.
“They become successful due to the help and support by the locals. This time also, the people are excited to welcome the yatris and provide them any possible help,” the IGP said.
Meanwhile, security forces conducted drills at Pahalgam, Anantnag, and Qazigund in south Kashmir; Pantha Chowk in Srinagar, and Sumbal in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Police on Wednesday also conducted synchronized mock-drills across eight zones of Srinagar, involving the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), to ensure the upcoming Amarnath Yatra concludes peacefully.
The purpose of the mock drills, according to Dr. G.V. Sandeep Chakravarthy, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, is to simulate a variety of emergency situations, including terrorist attacks, error correction, stampedes, road accidents and natural disasters.
“The main objective of these exercises were to enhance cooperation, speed up reaction times, and provide pilgrims and the public a sense of security while assessing law enforcement personnel’ ability to response in emergency situations,” SSP Srinagar told the media on the sidelines of the mock-drill at Yatri Bhawan, Pantha Chowk here.
To guarantee the pilgrims’ safety throughout their journey to the Amarnath cave shrine, the district police chief urged the public to cooperate, especially by adhering to the cut-off timings.
“Being completely ready for any situation that may arise during the Yatra and to make sure the police, CAPF, and SDRF collaborated efficiently to manage a variety of emergencies are the key objectives of these mock drills which were conducted across the eight districts of Srinagar,” he added.
In answer to a question on technical preparedness, the SSP said the effective ground response is ensured by regularly upgrading the surveillance and response capabilities as well as by monitoring and updating systems in real-time.
“As the annual Amarnath Yatra approaches, these simulated exercises demonstrate the administration’s preemptive measures to guarantee a safe and peaceful pilgrimage. In addition to being exercises, these drills serve as confidence-building measures to convince pilgrims and the general public that the administration is alert and equipped to handle any situation,” the SSP added.
