Srinagar, June 20: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is all set to arrive in Srinagar and chair a high-level security review meeting at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) here, focusing on comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Govind Mohan will land at Srinagar International Airport around 10 AM and is scheduled to return to New Delhi by 5 PM after the deliberations. The meeting is being attended by Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command, Director General of Police (DGP) J&K, GOCs of 15 and 16 Corps, Director General CRPF, senior officers from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Border Security Force (BSF) including ADG CID, Inspectors General of Police for Jammu and Kashmir ranges, and other senior officers from paramilitary forces.

The high-powered meeting is reviewing the multi-layered security grid, intelligence coordination, deployment of forces, use of advanced technology, and logistical preparedness ahead of the annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on July 3, 2026, and conclude on August 28, 2026.

Senior officials in security establishment said the discussions will remain centred on ensuring zero-tolerance security along both the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes, as well as at the base camps (Nunwan and Baltal). Key aspects under review include area domination, route sanitization, protection of strategic heights, pilgrim screening and registration mechanisms, and real-time response capabilities.

This review follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on June 12, 2026, attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and other top officials. The Srinagar meeting is part of the final round of ground-level fine-tuning before the 57-day Yatra.

Security forces have already intensified preparations. A massive deployment of approximately 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has been approved for the Yatra. A three-tier security system is being put in place across base camps and the entire pilgrimage corridor. For the first time, the Army’s specialized Vikas Battalion — comprising troops highly trained in mountain warfare — is being deployed to secure strategic heights overlooking the Pahalgam route.

Advanced technological measures form a critical component of the security architecture. These include mandatory RFID cards (linked to Aadhaar) for all registered yatris, drone surveillance, facial recognition systems, extensive CCTV networks, surveillance towers, and real-time monitoring and alert mechanisms. The competent authority has declared the entire Yatra area a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1, 2026, till the conclusion of the pilgrimage. Helicopter services for pilgrims will not operate in the area during this period.

Ground-level measures already underway include large-scale mock drills, combing operations, house-to-house searches in sensitive pockets (particularly in Anantnag district), and strict verification of service providers such as pony owners through identity cards and QR codes. Hotel checks and verification of guest records in key areas have also been intensified.

Besides the Yatra-specific arrangements, the meeting is also assessing the overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory has witnessed a significant improvement in the security environment in recent years, with a sharp decline in terror-related incidents. This has enabled greater focus on development, tourism, and facilitation of large religious and cultural events.

The review is also covering holistic aspects such as medical preparedness and emergency response teams, accommodation and tentage facilities, transport and traffic management (including strict convoy procedures), weather monitoring in coordination with IMD, and disaster management capabilities — critical given the high-altitude terrain and potential monsoon challenges during the Yatra period.

Srinagar, Jun 19: The two-day International Conference on Applied Artificial Intelligence (2AI-2026), organised by the Department of Information Technology, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in collaboration University of South Dakota, AI Research Lab, USA, partnered by Springer and CCIS, concluded at the Tulmulla Campus here Friday.

The valedictory session was attended by Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Department of Computer Science, Central University of Karnataka and Conference General-Chair, Prof. R. S. Hegadi, Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, Organising chair of the conference, Dr. Yash Paul, Heads and Coordinators of Departments and other functionaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie lauded the Department of Information Technology for organizing the conference on a subject that is reshaping every sphere of human life.

Vice Chancellor Prof A Ravinder Nath said that the conference had been organised alongside the launch of the University’s M.Tech programme in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

He said the event provided a platform to strengthen the academic curriculum, expose students to cutting-edge developments and encourage meaningful engagement with emerging technologies. Conference General Chair, Prof RS Hegadi presented a detailed report on the conference proceedings and highlighted the academic standards maintained throughout the event. He said more than 500 technical programme committee members and reviewers from reputed institutions evaluated the submissions. Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Prof Farooq Ahmad Mir observed that Artificial Intelligence has emerged as one of the significant interdisciplinary domains of the contemporary era, transcending conventional disciplinary boundaries and creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Anantnag, Jun 19: A horse was rescued on Friday after falling into an uncovered sewer manhole along the Khanabal-Pahalgam (KP) road near the Fire Service Station at Sarnal in Anantnag town, triggering concerns over public safety.

The animal was found trapped inside the drain early in the morning.

Locals said it had apparently fallen into the manhole during the night while moving along the footpath.

Residents gathered at the spot and made repeated attempts to rescue the horse but were unable to pull it out.

Workers of the Municipal Council Anantnag later reached the site and launched a rescue operation with the assistance of locals. To reach the trapped animal, rescuers broke a portion of the concrete slab around the manhole.

A JCB excavator was also pressed into service.

After nearly two hours of efforts, the horse was pulled out safely.

A veterinary doctor who examined the animal said it had escaped with only minor injuries.

Videos of the rescue operation were later shared widely on social media.

Senior journalist Javed Dar, while sharing a video of the incident on X, sought action from the district administration and questioned the quality and supervision of civic works.

“It raises serious questions about the quality of work and the supervision of the project by the concerned officials. Those responsible for approving, monitoring and executing such sub-standard work must be held accountable. I request the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag to take cognisance,” Dar wrote.

The incident has also renewed attention on uncovered manholes in the area, which residents said continue to pose a risk to pedestrians and motorists.

“We had appealed to the municipal authorities earlier too to cover these manholes, but to no avail,” said a shopkeeper. “There is a serious risk that a commuter, particularly a child, could fall into one of them.”

He said uncovered manholes frequently appear along the town’s roads and footpaths, creating a hazard for commuters.

Municipal Council Anantnag Secretary Asadullah said the civic body had received an estimate from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department for covering the remaining manholes and would forward it to the Director, Local Bodies, for administrative approval.

“Once we get the approval, all the manholes of the sewer drain will be covered,” he said.

Asadullah said most manholes along major roads had already been covered.

He, however, attributed the problem partly to theft of covers.

“We always ensure that the manholes are covered with concrete or metal lids, but more often than not they are stolen during the night,” he said.