AI cameras, QAT commandos, drones: Inside Amarnath Yatra's security shield

Published 1 July 2026 · india

With the Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3, the whole of Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a fortress. In the wake

With the Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3, the whole of Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a fortress. In the wake of heightened terror threats and the April 22 Pahalgam attack, security agencies have rolled out what officials describe as one of the most extensive security operations ever for the annual pilgrimage. From the moment pilgrims enter Highway-44 until they reach the holy cave shrine, every kilometre of the route will remain under constant surveillance through a blend of manpower, advanced technology and multi-agency coordination. Read Full Story The first line of defence begins before sunrise. Every morning, personnel from the CRPF, Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies fan out across NH-44 as part of Road Opening Party (ROP) operations. Before a single convoy is allowed to move, every stretch of the highway is sanitised to detect explosives, suspicious objects or any signs of militant activity. Each ROP team clears a four-to-five-kilometre stretch, searching forests, streams, bridges, culverts and roadside structures.

Bomb Disposal and Detection Squads (BDDS) and trained sniffer dogs accompany the teams, while any suspicious object is dealt with under standard operating procedures. Once one team finishes its assignment, another immediately takes over, ensuring there are no gaps in surveillance along the pilgrimage route. SECURITY EXTENDS BEYOND THE HIGHWAY Authorities have expanded the security perimeter well beyond NH-44. Checkposts have been established on every link road leading to the highway to stop suspicious vehicles or individuals before they reach the main pilgrimage route. Strategic security pickets have also been set up at vulnerable locations, keeping every movement under constant watch. Pilgrim convoys will move only at designated times and entirely under the supervision of security forces, with personnel already deployed at all sensitive points before the vehicles arrive. SPECIAL FOCUS ON WOMEN PILGRIMS This year's arrangements place added emphasis on the safety and convenience of women devotees. An all-women CRPF contingent has been deployed at the Nunwan base camp on the traditional Pahalgam route, where female personnel are conducting frisking, managing queues and assisting pilgrims during security checks.

Apart from screening duties, the women personnel are helping devotees with directions, travel-related information and crowd management. Officials say the deployment has become a regular feature of the Yatra to ensure women undergo security checks in a comfortable and respectful environment. ANTI-DRONE SYSTEMS, CCTV FORM HIGH-TECH SHIELD Modern technology forms the newest layer of the security grid. With drones emerging as an increasing threat in recent years, authorities have deployed advanced anti-drone systems capable of detecting, tracking and neutralising suspicious aerial objects. The pilgrimage route, base camps, vulnerable transit points and the holy cave area will also be monitored through an extensive surveillance network comprising CCTV cameras, high-resolution imaging systems, mobile surveillance units and real-time monitoring platforms. Integrated control rooms will enable different agencies to instantly share intelligence and respond to emergencies. MULTI-AGENCY OPERATION BACKED BY MOCK DRILLS The security operation is being jointly coordinated by the CRPF, Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies. Senior officers are regularly reviewing preparations and have personally participated in road-opening exercises to assess ground readiness.