Security Heightened for Amarnath Yatra After Pahalgam Terror Attack

With Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha performing the "Pratham Pujan" at the Shri Amarnath cave shrine on Wednesday, the stage is set for the annual 38-day pilgrimage to south Kashmir Himalayas, beginning July 3 and concluding on August 9.

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

JAMMU:

In the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 tourist lives and left scores injured, security arrangements for this year's pilgrimage will be the most stringent yet.

A senior home department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that nearly 3.6 lakh pilgrims have registered for the yatra so far.

"To ensure their safety, over 581 companies of paramilitary forces—including CRPF, SSB, ITBP, and BSF—will be deployed. This excludes the routine presence of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the army. Each paramilitary company typically comprises 100-110 personnel," he said.