Spurt in terror attacks particularly on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has prompted the security forces to rejig the entire security network for the annual pilgrimage.
Focus has now shifted to the security of the Amarnath yatra which takes off in Jammu and Kashmir on July 2.
Spurt in terror attacks particularly on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has prompted the security forces to rejig the entire security network for the annual pilgrimage.
"We will secure entire stretch (of the highway) for the yatra. That is going to be done. And that is where we are going to sit down and do brainstorming," said K Durga Prasad, director general of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Sources said three-tier security arrangements have been made to ensure secure and hassle-free yatra. CCTV surveillance, area domination, specialised road opening techniques and round the clock monitoring is all planned for the 48-day yatra.
More than 125 additional companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed en route to cave shrine. Several National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams will also be deployed to meet exigency, if any, during the yatra period.
The central forces are in addition of the existing manpower available in the state. Indian army has been entrusted the job of area domination and securing the upper reaches around the cave shrine. ITBP men will also be deployed on the important axis en route to holy cave.
Paramilitary forces and army troops would also be deployed on the highway to ensure security of the pilgrim buses. Laced with state of the art equipments the forces would be conducting anti IED drive round-the-clock to keep militants at bay and ensure smooth convoy movement.
Pilgrim convoy will be escorted by the paramilitary forces from Jammu base camp right up to the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps. Jammu and Kashmir police will be entrusted the job of securing the areas from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps up to the cave shrine.
Situated in a narrow gorge at the altitude of 3,888 metres, the holy Amarnath cave is accessible from two routes in Kashmir valley. The 46 kilometer Pahalgam – Holy cave trek is an ancient pilgrimage route which is covered in five days. And there lie the ice lingam of Lord Shiva formed naturally that waxes and wanes with the moon. The new 14 kilometer Baltal-Holy cave route is now preferred by the pilgrims since it is shorter though steep and journey can be completed in a day.
Authorities are also deploying X ray machines to check the baggage of the people before proceeding to the cave shrine. Cops will also be gathering intelligence to preempt any untoward incident and keep militants at bay.
All busy places including langars (free community kitchens) are being brought under security cover CCTV cameras are being utilised to get footage of busiest places. Round the clock functioning of joint control rooms and supervision of arrangements by the senior officers is also planned.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, director general of police K Rajendra Kumar asked the officers to identify the sensitive places and strengthen the security grid after making joint efforts.
"Joint patrolling should be carried out round the clock in these areas and also on National Highway should be kept under continuous surveillance to foil any attempt of disruption by the miscreants," he said.
Central team to visit state
Security establishment has sent a special team under secretary (border management) in the Uunion home ministry Susheel Kumar to review the security preparedness in Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra which begins on July 7and is expected to attract about 10 lakh pilgrims and tourists.
"The team will hold talks with top commanders of army, paramilitary forces and J&K Police to beef up the security arrangements and tweak them wherever needed," a highly placed home ministry official said.
The team will also take a decision on reinforcing buses that carry paramilitary forces from one place to another.
"We are thinking of putting special steel plates developed by the DRDO on the sides of the buses. These plates can withstand bullets of AK 47 easily," added the source.
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