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.
