Srinagar, June 18 (IANS) General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army’s Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, on Thursday visited the Pahalgam route of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in south Kashmir to assess operational preparedness for the annual pilgrimage.

The Army’s Northern Command said on X: “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC, visited #Pahalgam and #Chandanwari to review the security situation and assess operational preparedness along the Southern Route ahead of the commencement of #ShriAmarnathJiYatra2026.

“#IndianArmy is committed to ensure safe pilgrimage for all devotees through seamless coordination with all stakeholders, vigilant security measures and comprehensive preparedness.”

The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

The J&K Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are providing overall security for the Yatra, while the Army is securing the peripheral areas of the pilgrimage route.

The holy Amarnath cave shrine is situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.

Devotees believe the ice stalagmite symbolises the mystical powers of Lord Shiva.

Yatris use two routes to reach the cave shrine.

Pilgrims can either take the longer traditional Pahalgam route in Anantnag district or the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Those using the Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine, while those using the Baltal route can return to the base camp the same day after having ‘darshan’ inside the cave shrine.

For security reasons, helicopter services will not be available for pilgrims this year.

While security forces provide protection to the Yatra, local residents also play an important role in making it a collective effort.

Local Muslims welcome the Yatris and work as porters, labourers, ponywallahs and guides to facilitate the annual pilgrimage.

–IANS

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