Srinagar, June 24 (IANS) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in J&K’s Anantnag district on Wednesday held a joint meeting with Police and CAPF officers ahead of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.

A police statement said, “In view of the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026), SSP Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure-IPS, chaired a joint coordination meeting with Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) officers to review security preparedness and strengthen inter-agency coordination.”

During the meeting, the SSP discussed the comprehensive security plan and emphasised the importance of seamless coordination, effective communication, and strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the Yatra.

He urged all officers to maintain a high level of alertness, remain professionally vigilant, and be fully prepared to respond promptly to any emerging situation.

The meeting also reviewed deployment strategies, area domination measures, convoy security, access control, and other operational arrangements. Officers were directed to ensure efficient coordination at all levels, conduct regular inspections, and maintain continuous monitoring of their respective areas of responsibility.

Reiterating the Police’s commitment to providing a secure environment for pilgrims, SSP Anantnag stressed that all necessary measures are being put in place to ensure the peaceful, orderly, and incident-free conduct of SANJY-2026 through close coordination between Police and CAPF personnel.

SANJY-2026 begins on July 3 and concludes after 57 days on August 28, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

Yatris approach the cave shrine in the Kashmir Himalayas at an altitude of 3,880 metres either via the longer traditional Pahalgam base camp route in Anantnag district or via the shorter Baltal base camp route in Ganderbal district.

Those taking the 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 the ice stalagmite symbolises Lord Shiva’s mythical powers.

The ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (Holy Mace of Lord Shiva) is taken from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building temple in Budshah Chowk area of Srinagar city in a procession of Sadhus by its custodian, Mahant Deependra Giri, through the Pahalgam route to the cave shrine.

The arrival of the Chhari Mubarak at the cave shrine is followed by the traditional Puja to declare the beginning of the Yatra.

–IANS

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