Amarnath Yatra 2026: Amit Shah chairs meeting to review security preparedness

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha chair a high-level meeting to review security and operational preparedness for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra in New Delhi, June 12, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (June 12, 2026) chaired a high-level meeting to review security and operational preparedness for the upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, officials said.

The yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3.

The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) GP Singh, besides other senior security and administrative officials.

The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre cave sanctuary in the Himalayas requires a massive security deployment, with Central and Union Territory agencies working in close tandem.

Officials said the agencies are combining advanced surveillance technology, intelligence-led surveillance and coordination among various agencies to ensure a completely safe environment for devotees.

Pilgrims will walk the traditional 48 km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14 km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Earlier this week, Governor Sinha reviewed the preparations, management of departments and security agencies to ensure smooth arrangements for infrastructure, security, healthcare, sanitation, connectivity and services for pilgrims.

Jammu and Kashmir Police has also deployed sophisticated detection and anti-sabotage equipment.

These include portable RCIED jammers, deep search metal detectors, explosive and liquid explosive detectors, non-linear junction detectors (NLJD), contraband removers, prodder vehicle search mirrors, optical fiber scopes, multi-type CCTV systems, XBIS, vehicle-mounted XBIS, multi-zone search devices DFMD (fixed/multi-zone and others), specialized metal detectors, HHMD or added.

The police also launched a QR-based ‘Pahchan App’ which is designed to digitally authenticate workers and vendors operating along the yatra route.

Officials say the system will help prevent unverified individuals from entering the pilgrimage ecosystem while improving accountability and crowd management.

Tenant checks, accommodation center inspections and intelligence-gathering operations have also been intensified.

The CRPF, which plays a key role in the security of the pilgrimage, has conducted extensive checks on operational readiness.

DG CRPF Singh also visited the valley and reviewed the security arrangements on the route to Baltal and directed commanders to take proactive measures.

He reviewed the security and logistical arrangements along the yatra route up to the Baltal base camp and emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust security network through close coordination among all stakeholders.

Mr. Singh said inter-agency coordination must be strengthened to ensure a safe and incident-free pilgrimage.

Published – 12 Jun 2026 13:26 IST