Amarnath Yatra 2026 gets biggest paramilitary deployment in pilgrimage history
The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government are preparing an unprecedented security and management plan for the Amarnath Yatra 2026, with over 670 companies
The Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government are preparing an unprecedented security and management plan for the Amarnath Yatra 2026, with over 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) set to be deployed for the annual pilgrimage, according to sources. The deployment, approved by the Union Home Ministry, is expected to be the largest paramilitary presence in the history of the Amarnath Yatra. Read Full Story The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine will commence from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal -- on July 3. It will conclude on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan on August 28. Security agencies are strengthening arrangements across the entire pilgrimage network — from entry points and highways to base camps, transit centres and the cave shrine — amid continued concerns over threats in the region.
The additional forces are expected to be deployed before Thursday to ensure that the security grid is fully operational before the arrival of pilgrims. This year, authorities are focusing not only on route security but also on improving facilities related to registration, accommodation, health screening and transportation. Security agencies have prepared a multi-layered security structure covering the entire route from Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, to the Amarnath cave shrine. The security cover will include key locations such as the Baltal base camp, Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp, Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu-Srinagar Highway, Pathankot-Jammu Highway, railway stations, transit camps and other sensitive locations. A major focus will be on strengthening the role of Road Opening Parties (ROP), which inspect routes before pilgrim movement begins each day. These teams are tasked with detecting suspicious activity, explosive threats or any security risk along the pilgrimage corridor before convoys move.
The security plan also includes enhanced surveillance on railway routes and highways. With the introduction of new railway connectivity and Vande Bharat services, authorities expect a rise in the number of pilgrims arriving by train. Security forces will maintain heightened vigilance at railway stations, tracks and operational areas, while highway patrols and area domination exercises will continue in vulnerable zones. Meanwhile, Army personnel will be deployed at strategic high-altitude locations along the pilgrimage routes to monitor possible infiltration attempts and terrorist threats. A coordination mechanism involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces has been put in place to ensure real-time communication between agencies. Along with security preparations, the administration is also expanding facilities for pilgrims. The Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, the main transit camp for devotees arriving from across the country, will open from June 30.
The BriefWire