Amarnath yatra: High security undertaken

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for this year's Amarnath pilgrimage, commencing on June 11.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for this year's Amarnath pilgrimage, commencing on June 11, in view of the recent attacks on tourists in Kashmir.

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A high-level meeting in Srinagar, with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, SM Sahai in the chair, discussed the security arrangements for the pilgrimage.

About four lakh devotees are likely to pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine during this year's pilgrimage, which will come to an end on August 9.

Arrangements such as establishing communication network, hotlines and police wireless network, satellite telephone facilities and other logistic arrangements at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zoji Bal, Sheshnag, Mahagunstop, Panjtarni and the holy cave shrine also came up for discussion and were given a final touch at the meeting attended by senior police and security forces officials.

At the meeting, Mr Sahai said adequate security arrangements have been put in place and a strong contingent of security forces deployed in strength all along the routes of the pilgrimage and the camps where devotees would be lodged.

Calling upon the police and security forces to remain vigilant, IGP said close cooperation and extra alertness by different wings of the security agencies was key to frustrate the nefarious designs of disruptive elements.

He said commitment, devotion, professional policing, effective feedback system should be maintained at every level.

Mr Sahai also made it clear that besides providing safety, it was the primary duty of the police and the security forces to help devotees during the pilgrimage.