Srinagar: Kashmir police chief V K Birdi on Friday directed the security forces to remain alert and ready for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins early next month.
Birdi, the Kashmir Zone IGP, chaired a security review meeting to assess preparedness and strengthen security arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra, Muharram, and the Kheer Bhawani Mela, a police spokesman said.
The meeting was attended by senior officers from the police, army, CRPF, ITBP, intelligence agencies, BSF, SSB, traffic department, railways, and other agencies, he said.
They briefed the IGP on the deployment strategies, route security, intelligence coordination, traffic regulations, communication preparedness, emergency response mechanisms and logistical arrangements put in place for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the upcoming events, the spokesman said.
Birdi stressed the need for enhanced inter-agency coordination, uninterrupted communication channels and a unified operational approach to ensure a safe and secure environment during the forthcoming events, he said.
Reviewing the security arrangements for the Yatra, which begins July 3, Birdi directed the officers to ensure strict adherence to the established SOPs and to undertake preventive measures.
He underscored the importance of maintaining a high level of alertness and readiness, particularly at vulnerable locations and along the designated pilgrimage routes.
The IGP also reviewed contingency planning, disaster response preparedness, crowd management mechanisms and coordination protocols to ensure swift and effective handling of any unforeseen situation.
While reviewing the arrangements for Muharram, the police chief emphasised the importance of ensuring the peaceful and smooth conduct of all religious processions and gatherings across the Valley.
Birdi directed the officers to make comprehensive security and traffic arrangements along the designated procession routes, establish effective crowd management mechanisms, and maintain close liaison with the organisers and community representatives.
Reviewing the preparations for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela in Ganderbal district, the IGP directed the officers to ensure robust security and facilitation measures for the devotees.
Birdi emphasised the need for thorough sanitisation of the shrine premises, adequate deployment of security personnel, and proper traffic management plans.
Meanwhile, as part of the comprehensive security and preparedness measures for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, police in Anantnag, in coordination with CAPF and other stakeholder agencies, conducted a mock drill at the Nunwan Base Camp Pahalgam.
The exercise was aimed at testing the preparedness, coordination and response capabilities of various security and emergency response agencies in dealing with potential contingencies during the Yatra. The mock drill simulated different emergency scenarios, enabling participating agencies to assess their operational readiness and refine response mechanisms, a police spokesperson informed.
He said the personnel from Anantnag Police, CAPF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Department, and other concerned agencies actively participated in the exercise. The drill focused on swift response, effective communication, evacuation procedures, crowd management, and inter-agency coordination.
Senior officers monitored the exercise and reviewed the performance of the participating teams. Necessary instructions were issued to further strengthen preparedness and ensure seamless coordination among all agencies deployed for the Yatra.
In a related development, police in Ganderbal convened a comprehensive coordination meeting with Nodal Officers of CAPF at the District Police Office Ganderbal to review preparedness and strengthen inter-agency coordination for the smooth, safe and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
The meeting focused on ensuring seamless coordination among all security and allied agencies deployed for the Yatra. Detailed discussions were held regarding security arrangements, deployment plans, traffic management, emergency response mechanisms, communication systems, and facilitation measures for pilgrims.
