Srinagar, June 22 (IANS) J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Monday chaired a comprehensive Security Review Meeting (SRM) to assess counter-insurgency measures and security arrangements for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra 2026.

The meeting was attended by senior officers from various security formations deployed in south Kashmir, including the army’s counter-insurgency Victor Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Border Security Force, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) from the districts concerned also participated and gave detailed presentations on the prevailing security situation, counter-insurgency operations, and the multi-layered security framework being established for the pilgrimage.

During the review, the DGP assessed the operational preparedness of all security formations and stressed the importance of close coordination and seamless synergy among agencies involved in securing the Yatra.

He emphasised that a robust and integrated security grid is essential to ensure the safe, secure, and smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage, which attracts thousands of devotees to the holy cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir every year.

The meeting forms part of the ongoing efforts by security agencies to strengthen preparedness and maintain a peaceful environment during the forthcoming Yatra.

The annual Amarnath Yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine starts this year on July 3 and will end after 57 days on August 28.

Yatris approach the cave shrine situated 38,880 metres above sea level either from the longer traditional route of Pahalgam or through the shorter Baltal route in north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

Those taking the south Kashmir Pahalgam route take four days to reach the cave shrine, while those taking the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after having ‘Darshan’ inside the cave shrine.

The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.

–IANS

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