With the Amarnath Yatra set to commence on July 3, officials have been diligently working to ensure the safety and preparedness of the pilgrimage. A recent mock drill was conducted at the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu and Kashmir to assess emergency response capabilities.

The trial run at Yatri Niwas, the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu, was conducted to check the preparedness for the upcoming annual pilgrimage. As part of the exercise, buses were dispatched under full security cover to ensure that all arrangements are in place. The first batch of pilgrims is scheduled to be flagged off from the Jammu base camp on July 2, with the Yatra formally commencing on July 3 from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishy, conveyed that all necessary preparations for the Yatra have been completed. He mentioned that tokens would be distributed at Saraswati Dham and assured that pilgrims would be provided with all necessary facilities, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.

In a preemptive move to ensure the safety of pilgrims, a joint mock landslide drill was conducted by the Indian Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Response Force (JKSDRF). The exercise took place at Samroli, Toldi Nallah, along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a critical route for the Yatra. This simulation involved rescuing stranded vehicles and providing immediate aid to injured pilgrims, with security and disaster response teams efficiently coordinating evacuation and medical assistance.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has increased surveillance by deploying K-9 (dog) squads alongside its personnel on key routes used by pilgrims and has strengthened highway patrols, with a particular focus on sensitive stretches such as the Udhampur sector.

Director General of Police (J&K) Nalin Prabhat chaired a joint security review meeting in Udhampur to assess preparations and enhance coordination among all agencies involved in the Yatra. The meeting was attended by senior officers from the District Police, CRPF, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and traffic police. SSP Udhampur provided a detailed presentation highlighting the district's security plan.

Earlier, a large-scale mock drill was conducted at Yatra Niwas in Pantha Chowk and at the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam. This exercise, involving Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other key agencies, aimed to test coordination and emergency response capabilities in case of incidents like terror attacks, natural disasters, fire, stampedes, and road accidents. SSP Srinagar Sandeep Chakravarti emphasized that the drill's purpose was to evaluate readiness for any emergency, conveying a strong message that the Yatra is secure and the administration is fully prepared to handle all situations.

Security forces also simulated a coordinated response on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the main route for Yatra convoys. Officials stressed the importance of public cooperation, particularly regarding cut-off timings and security guidelines.

In light of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, this year's security arrangements are significantly more robust and in-depth compared to 2024. Over 45,000 personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP, Indian Army, and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be deployed along the Pahalgam (48 km) and Baltal (14 km) routes. The Pahalgam route is divided into 17 zones and 51 sectors for operational efficiency, while the Baltal route features fortified camps with weather-resistant setups. Ponywalas and local service providers are undergoing strict ID verification at base camps, with proper registration and ID checks to prevent infiltration.

The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and J&K administration have upgraded infrastructure, including widened tracks, safety handrails, and ILCB tiles on high-risk segments. Base camps like Bhagwati Nagar and transit points like Pantha Chowk are equipped with medical, sanitation, and lodging facilities.