Amarnath Yatra – First Pilgrim Convoy Leaves Jammu Under Enhanced Security
Amarnath Yatra – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first group of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu. The departure took place amid extensive security measures ahead of the formal opening of the 57-day pilgrimage.
More Than 4,800 Pilgrims Begin Journey
More than 4,800 registered devotees left Jammu in the opening convoy, travelling in 259 light and heavy vehicles towards the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas. Pilgrims will proceed through the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route.
The flag-off event was attended by representatives of religious bodies, elected public representatives, senior officials from the civil administration, police, security agencies, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and a large number of devotees.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha described the pilgrimage as a journey of faith and spiritual reflection. He wished the pilgrims a safe, comfortable and fulfilling visit to the shrine.
Pilgrimage Schedule and Route Security
The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to begin officially on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. Authorities have put in place a multi-layered security plan for the movement of pilgrims from Jammu to the cave shrine, located at an altitude of around 3,800 metres.
Security personnel will escort the yatra convoys along both routes. Armoured vehicles, mobile bunkers, dog squads and mountain rescue teams have also been included in the operational plan to support safe travel and emergency response.
Officials said registered pilgrims have been issued personalised RFID cards with GPS-enabled tracking features. The system is intended to help authorities monitor the movement of devotees, contact them during emergencies and manage travel at designated checkpoints.
Project Hawk Eye Introduced on Pahalgam Route
Police have launched Project Hawk Eye, a surveillance initiative designed to maintain continuous monitoring along the Pahalgam route. The programme combines aerial observation with ground-level security coverage to improve preparedness and support the movement of pilgrims.
As part of the security deployment, 28 elevated observation posts, known as Machan Morchas, have been set up at vulnerable locations. Authorities have also deployed 22 trained sniper teams at selected points along the route.
Police said 416 high-resolution CCTV cameras and facial recognition infrastructure have been installed at key locations. Facial recognition systems are in place on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes to support real-time monitoring and identify suspicious activity when required.
Additional Paramilitary Forces Deployed
The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the deployment of 670 additional companies of paramilitary forces in the Kashmir Valley for the pilgrimage. Security agencies are also using drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, 360-degree cameras and AI-supported threat detection systems as part of the overall arrangement.
Authorities have declared the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, along with other pilgrimage corridors, as no-flying zones from July 1 until the completion of the yatra. The measure is intended to prevent unauthorised aerial activity, including the use of drones.
Helicopter services for pilgrims will not be available this year. This is the second consecutive year that helicopter travel has been suspended during the pilgrimage due to security considerations.
Traffic Restrictions Announced
Police have issued a traffic advisory for pilgrims, tourists and local residents. Restrictions have been imposed on sections of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and other important roads to ensure the uninterrupted movement of yatra convoys.
Around 4.14 lakh devotees completed the Amarnath Yatra last year. Authorities expect large numbers of pilgrims again this season and have urged travellers to follow official advisories throughout the journey.