With the Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025 set to commence on July 3rd and continue until August 9th, Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the Punjab Police, have implemented a multi-layered security grid to ensure the safety and smooth passage of pilgrims. Lakhs of devotees from across India are expected to participate in this annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in Jammu & Kashmir, many of whom transit through the state of Punjab, particularly the Pathankot district.
Recognizing the strategic importance of Pathankot, which shares a 26.385 km international border with Pakistan and houses critical defence installations, the Punjab Police have heightened security measures. Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, chaired a high-level security and coordination meeting in Pathankot with the Police, Army, Civil Administration, and other security agencies to review and strengthen the arrangements for the Yatra.
The security plan includes advanced surveillance, strategic deployment of forces, and round-the-clock coordination. The Yatra route has been divided into well-defined security sectors, each under the supervision of a Commandant-rank officer, ensuring 24x7 ground-level oversight and rapid response in case of any exigency. To further enhance monitoring capabilities, a 24x7 Command and Control Centre has been established at Nakka Madhopur, supervised by a Gazetted Officer, to monitor vehicle and pilgrim movements using advanced surveillance systems.
Punjab Police have deployed nearly 900 policemen on the Amarnath Yatra route. Additional technical resources, including mobile surveillance units, high-resolution CCTV systems, drone-based aerial surveillance, GPS-enabled patrolling, and real-time reporting mechanisms, are actively being employed to monitor suspicious activities. Daily anti-sabotage and security checks are being conducted at sensitive locations, including bus stands, railway stations, langar sites, religious places, and across the full Yatra route.
In addition to these measures, Punjab Police have sensitized and trained owners and staff of petrol pumps, dhabas, hotels, guest houses, and other roadside establishments along the route to report any unusual activity, suspicious objects, or unidentified persons to the nearest police station without delay. Seamless coordination among all stakeholders—including the Indian Army, BSF, CAPF, and police from J&K and Himachal Pradesh—is being ensured.
Inspector General of Police in Kashmir, VK Birdi, also visited the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam in Anantnag district, one of the two routes for the Yatra, and said that multi-layered and in-depth security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a safe and smooth Yatra. The other route of the Yatra is from Baltal in Sonamarg area of central Kashmir.
The duration of the Yatra has been reduced to 38 days this year, from the 52 days in 2024. Authorities are working to ensure a safe and seamless pilgrimage, with the cooperation of locals in the Kashmir Valley being seen as crucial for the Yatra's success.
