Despite Pahalgam terror attack, Amarnath Yatra sees massive turnout

Srinagar: Defying terror threats and the shock of the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were gunned down by terrorists, the annual Amarnath Yatra has emerged as one of the most successful pilgrimages in recent years.

According to official data, over 3.60 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the sacred Amarnath cave shrine since the 38-day-long yatra began on July 3.

Despite being shorter than last year’s 52-day pilgrimage, officials are optimistic that this year’s yatra may still cross the four lakh mark. In 2024, over five lakh devotees had visited the cave, but this year’s reduced duration of 39 days has naturally impacted overall numbers.

The yatra comes just three months after terrorists opened fire on a tourist bus in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 people and injuring several others. The incident sent shockwaves across the country and raised fresh concerns about the safety of the pilgrimage, which winds through the volatile South Kashmir region.

Despite these concerns, devotees remained undeterred.

“The response has been overwhelming, particularly in the wake of heightened security concerns following the Pahalgam attack,” a senior official overseeing the yatra told DH.

“Security agencies worked round-the-clock to ensure smooth passage for pilgrims. The resilience of the devotees speaks volumes,” the official added.

Security forces have left no stone unturned to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Nearly 60,000 troops from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and other paramilitary units have been deployed along the twin routes from Pahalgam and Baltal.

Anti-drone systems, high-tech surveillance, sniffer dogs, mountain rescue teams, and mine detection squads have all been mobilised as part of a multi-layered security blanket.

Drones and helicopters have continuously monitored the pilgrimage routes, and access to the shrine has been tightly regulated through RFID-based tracking, biometric registration, and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring.

However, the number of pilgrims has started to decline slightly in recent days, primarily due to the melting of the naturally formed ice-Shivlingam inside the cave shrine. The phenomenon typically signals the waning phase of the yatra season.

The Amarnath Yatra, held annually during the holy month of Shravan, is one of the most important pilgrimages in Hinduism. The trek—whether via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal path—tests both physical endurance and spiritual resolve.

This year, more than ever, it has also become a symbol of collective courage—of ordinary devotees, security forces, and the administration— in the face of adversity.