Srinagar, June 20 (IANS) Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a high-level security meeting here on Saturday to review arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath ji Yatra.

The Home Secretary arrived in Srinagar and chaired the review meeting at the J&K Police headquarters to assess preparedness for the pilgrimage beginning on July 3.

Officials said he reviewed security and logistical arrangements with senior officers of the J&K administration, the Police, the Army, the Central Armed Police Forces, and intelligence agencies.

The meeting focused on evaluating the overall security grid and operational readiness along both the Pahalgam and Baltal pilgrimage routes. Officials noted that the review comes amid heightened security preparations across J&K, with forces intensifying area domination exercises, route sanitisation and counter-terror surveillance measures, particularly in districts linked to the annual pilgrimage.

Among the main issues discussed were deployment plans, convoy security, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, emergency response systems, disaster management preparedness and arrangements for pilgrims at transit and base camps.

Officials also briefed the Home Secretary on measures being undertaken to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, including healthcare facilities, communication networks, transportation services and rescue infrastructure.

In recent weeks, multiple security audits, mock drills, and joint exercises involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies have been conducted to strengthen coordination among stakeholders ahead of the Yatra.

Arrangements at transit camps and base camps, healthcare facilities, communication networks, transportation services and rescue infrastructure also came up for review.

The visit comes amid heightened security preparations across J&K ahead of the annual pilgrimage. Security forces have stepped up area domination exercises, route sanitisation drives and anti-sabotage checks in districts connected with the pilgrimage.

Officials said the presence of top representatives from the Army, CAPFs and intelligence agencies reflected the Centre’s focus on ensuring that the annual pilgrimage proceeds without disruption.

The meeting also reviewed coordination among various agencies responsible for security, traffic management, disaster response and pilgrim welfare.

In recent weeks, the J&K Police, CRPF, SDRF and civil administration have conducted a series of mock drills and joint exercises to test emergency response capabilities and strengthen inter-agency coordination ahead of the Yatra.

The review forms part of a broader security assessment being undertaken by the Union Home Ministry before the commencement of the pilgrimage, which attracts thousands of devotees every year to the cave shrine situated 3,880 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas.

–IANS

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