Special security for Amarnath pilgrims

In the backdrop of rising militant attacks in Kashmir, security agencies are working on a special contingency plan for providing a safe environment for the annual Amarnath Yatra starting from July 2.

Sources told Deccan Herald that under the plan, static and mobile quick reaction teams (QRTs) would be placed at all the base camps in Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Sonamarg in north Kashmir.

“The contingency plan has been formulated and is being put in place all along the track from base camps to the holy cave shrine. A three-tier security ring, comprising of police, CRPF, BSF and Army would be put in place along the route to ensure peaceful yatra and to foil any nefarious design by subversive elements to sabotage the annual pilgrimage,” they said.

“The static, mobile QRTs of paramilitary CRPF and state police will be formed and made operational for law and order purposes and to keep strict vigil on the activities of militants during the Yatra, which will culminate on August 29. Intelligence gathering would be accelerated and the inputs would be shared among the agencies for preventive measures,” sources said.

The control rooms would be established at Domail on shorter 16-km Baltal-cave route in Ganderbal district and Chandanwari along the traditional 45-km Pahalgam-cave route in Anantnag district, ahead of the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra, they added.
The officials said special rescue teams would also been deployed at vulnerable spots to meet any eventuality.