J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, on June 18, flagged off 45 mountain rescue teams for deployment along the twin routes for the Amarnath Yatra. Along the traditional but much longer route from Pahalgam via Chandwari, Pissu Top, Mahaganus Top, Panjtarni and the holy cave. Besides the comparatively new Baltal route, where the journey to the cave and back to the base camp is completed within one day.
The 45 teams, comprising J&K Police, State and National Disaster Response Forces, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Border Security Force (BSF), will be deployed at 21 locations along the two routes to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas. These teams are meant to assist the pilgrims in making it a smooth experience.
Addressing SDRF personnel in Srinagar while flagging off the teams, DGP Prabhat praised the performance of SDRF and Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), recalling their efforts during the Gulmarg rescue operation.
“The passion, hard work and efficiency with which you worked that day was of global standards,” the DGP said, adding that he had promised recognition to all personnel who participated in the Gulmarg rescue mission.
He said the lists of personnel recommended for DGP commendation had been received and approved in principle, while the remaining recommendations from district police units were awaited. Highlighting the importance of preparedness, Prabhat said training remains a fundamental requirement for every force and every challenging task. “There is no substitute for training,” he said.
The DGP stressed the need for joint exercises involving SDRF, NDRF, MRTs, police and other agencies to enhance interoperability and operational coordination during rescue missions. “No matter how good your individual training is, unless you train jointly for interoperability, we will not be able to achieve the goal of jointness,” he said.
“Like every year, our teams will be stationed there to assist pilgrims this year too. They will provide every kind of facility (to the devotees). And God forbid, if any disaster occurs, they will actively respond to it and tackle it,” SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir told reporters here. Mir said the annual Amarnath Yatra is a very sacred pilgrimage in the country.
“The overall role of J&K Police in this is very important, along with other security forces. These mountain rescue teams are specially trained. Most of them have been deployed before as well. They provide all kinds of assistance, especially in emergencies, to pilgrims who come here from every corner of the country,” he added. Mir said extra effort was put in and equipment augmented for this year’s deployment.
“We are trying to provide better facilities for the mountain rescue team so that they can offer better services to the pilgrims. We hope the yatra will be very successful. We will fulfil this duty and responsibility completely,’’ he said. Meanwhile, mock drills were conducted in several districts in the Valley as security forces intensified measures to ensure a smooth pilgrimage this year, officials said. This year, the Amarnath Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28.
“To assess and strengthen the security preparedness, emergency response mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination for the smooth and safe conduct of the annual pilgrimage, authorities are conducting comprehensive mock drills across the Valley,” the officials said.
On Thursday, mock drills were conducted in the Pulwama and Kulgam districts in South Kashmir.
In a related development, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Thursday visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari to review the security situation and assess operational preparedness along the Southern Route ahead of the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.
According to an official statement, Lt Gen Sharma conducted a comprehensive review of security arrangements and preparedness measures put in place for the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage. He was briefed on the prevailing security scenario, deployment plans, coordination mechanisms and measures being undertaken to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the yatra.
The statement said the Indian Army remains fully committed to ensuring a safe and secure pilgrimage for all devotees through seamless coordination with various stakeholders, vigilant security measures and comprehensive operational preparedness.
The visit comes as security agencies continue to strengthen arrangements along the yatra routes in view of the forthcoming annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine.
