Multi-agency mock drills focus on suicide attacks, disasters ahead of Amarnath yatra in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) conducts a mock exercise ahead of Amarnath Yatra 2026 at Yatri Niwas, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar on June 30, 2026 | Photo credit: ANI

From simulating fidayeen (suicide) attacks to natural disasters, the J&K Police conducted a comprehensive multi-agency mock exercise at Transit Yatri Camp, Panthachowk on Tuesday (June 30, 2026).

Police said the drills were to review emergency preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, which will begin on July 3 on the two routes of Sonamarg and Pahalgam in central and south Kashmir.

“Security agencies have adopted a multi-layered approach by combining ground deployment with advanced surveillance measures, including aerial monitoring and surveillance from elevated positions, to maintain comprehensive surveillance of the Yatra route and surrounding areas,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vidhi Kumar Birdi said.

Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) conducts a mock exercise ahead of Amarnath Yatra 2026 at Yatri Niwas, Pantha Chowk, in Srinagar on June 30, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI

The exercise was carried out even if unusual movement or suspicious activity and reaction were detected. Apart from militancy, Mr. Birdi said, “Several stretches along the pilgrimage routes remain vulnerable to natural calamities including landslides, avalanches and glacier movement. Tabletop exercises were conducted in coordination with local stakeholders, disaster management authorities and other departments associated with the Yatra to address these concerns.”

The authorities have scientifically mapped the vulnerable spots. “Medical Response Teams (MRTs) and other emergency response units have been strategically deployed at sensitive locations to provide immediate assistance in case of any weather-related emergency or other incident,” said Mr Birdi.

During the simulated exercise, designated police officers briefed all agencies on their roles and standard operating procedures prior to the exercise. The emphasis was on response time, communication flow, coordinated action and adherence to emergency protocols, police said.

“The exercise simulated several scenarios including traffic accidents, fidayeen attack, law and order emergencies, accidental injuries, evacuation, rescue operations and medical emergencies. The objective was to evaluate operational readiness, interagency coordination and emergency response effectiveness in critical situations,” police said.

The exercise also witnessed a “detailed post-exercise debriefing to identify operational gaps, evaluate response mechanisms and further refine the emergency response plan and standard operating procedures”.

“The mock exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of the existing emergency response framework and also provided inputs to further strengthen preparedness ahead of the Yatra,” the police said.

The administration has set up an integrated command and control center to continuously monitor the Yatra routes, disseminate real-time data and information, collect and compile data from the ground with regard to Yatra camp capacities, availability of essential commodities and services.

In North Kashmir’s Baramulla, a mock multi-agency exercise was held at the Hamray railway station. “Various emergency scenarios were simulated to evaluate the effectiveness of joint response mechanisms, communications, evacuation procedures and crisis management,” police said.

Meanwhile, the Baramulla Police advised all tourists and visitors intending to travel to Gulmarg to strictly follow traffic restrictions to ensure safe, secure and smooth movement of yatra convoys and to facilitate efficient traffic management.

“No tourist vehicle will be allowed to go from Gulmarg towards Srinagar after 5:00 pm Similarly, no tourist vehicle will be allowed to go from Srinagar towards Gulmarg after 5:00 pm.

Published – 30 Jun 2026 23:20 IST