Multi-pronged security to be in place ahead of Amarnath yatra

21/06/2017

Jammu, Jun 20: Ahead of commencement of the annual Amarnath yatra, authorities have directed security agencies to put in place a multi-pronged strategy including round-the- clock patrolling on the national highway to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the 40-day long yatra.
The annual Amarnath yatra will start on June 29 and come to a close on August 7.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, S D Singh, chaired a high-level meeting to review the security arrangements and directed the agencies to ensure multi-tier security set-up.
On the border management front, the IGP stressed upon the district police chiefs of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts to lay joint check points and ensure patrolling on all the probable infiltration routes as these three districts are more vulnerable to cross border infiltration.
He directed that all the border police stations, police posts and check points be strengthened and proper briefing be given to men by supervisory offices regularly regarding the nature of duties to be performed by them.
Singh directed all the forces including the intelligence agencies to pay special attention to the area where fencing has been damaged on the IB and lay more focus on vulnerable areas and hotspots, particularly on the IB.
The district police chiefs have been directed to get the proper census of surroundings and vulnerable areas of the venues related to the yatra on priority basis and advise the people not to allow any individual to take shelter in their houses without prior information to the police.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given by the officers of intelligence agencies, Army, and the Police with regard to the security arrangement planned by them to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra.
Thereafter, a threadbare discussion was held on the various security-related issues pertaining to the yatra and for ensuring enhanced security measures on the highway and infiltration grid on the International Border and Line Of Control.
All officers of the Army, paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies and local police have been directed to maintain high level of alertness and synergy among themselves.
They have been asked to share the intelligence-related information bearing to the Amarnath yatra on a real-time basis "to foil the nefarious designs of anti-national elements" across the IB.
In view of the prevailing law and order situation in south Kashmir, the IGP (Jammu Zone) also stressed upon all security agencies to organise night patrolling on the national highway on a regular basis.
He stressed upon all the officers that proper briefing be given to the officials to be deployed for Road Opening Party (ROP) duty to maintain utmost alertness so that smooth passage is given to all the vehicles going for the yatra.
The IGP also impressed upon district police chiefs of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Ramban to ensure adequate police and security in their respective districts particularly at Base Camp Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu and Lodgement centres and Langers during the yatra days.
However, Authorities here today said that 24 rescue teams and 35 dog squads would be deployed along the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal in south Kashmir Himalayas as part of efforts to ensure smooth and peaceful Amarnath pilgrimage.
The 40-day annual yatra to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath is set to commence next week.
"A total of 24 rescue teams will be deployed during the forthcoming Yatra. These teams would be drawn from the personnel of J&K Armed Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and equipped with all rescue equipment including Oxygen Cylinders," Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) Umang Narula said.
The yatra is scheduled to commence from traditional 28.2 km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and 9.5 km Baltal track in Ganderbal district on June 29 and will end on 'Raksha Bandhan' on August 7.
Narula, who reviewed the arrangements to be made for providing rescue facilities in case of any emergent situation during the Yatra here, said eight mountain rescue teams from the Armed Police would be deployed to help women and sick pilgrims in negotiating difficult stretches on the Yatra routes.
In addition, a total of 12 avalanche rescue teams, 11 teams of the SDRF and one team of CRPF, would be deployed along both the routes, he said.
"Seven teams would be deployed along the Pahalgam route at Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zojibal-Nagakoti, Sheshnag, Mahagunus Top, Panjtarni, Holy Cave and five teams along the Baltal route at Baltal, Domel, Railpatri, Brarimarg and Sangam Top," he added.
Besides, four search and rescue teams of the NDRF are also being deployed at Pahalgam-Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni and Baltal, he said.
Narula said 35 Dog Squads would be deployed by the Army, state police, BSF and CRPF along the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, of which 27 would be on the Pahalgam axis and eight will be stationed on the Baltal route.
"These dog squads are used for carrying out anti-sabotage checks and other security related duties," he said.

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