Srinagar, June 18, 2026 : In a major preparedness measure ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagged off 45 specially trained mountain rescue teams for deployment along the twin routes leading to the holy Amarnath cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
The teams, comprising personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Border Security Force (BSF), will be stationed at 21 strategic locations along the pilgrimage routes to provide assistance and emergency response services to devotees.
Focus on Pilgrim Safety and Emergency Response
Speaking on the occasion, SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir said the rescue teams are fully equipped and trained to provide immediate assistance to pilgrims and respond effectively to any emergency situation that may arise during the yatra.
“Like every year, our teams will be stationed there to assist pilgrims this year too. They will provide every kind of facility to the devotees. God forbid, if any disaster occurs, they will actively respond to it and tackle it,” Mir told reporters.
He described the Amarnath Yatra as one of the country’s most revered religious pilgrimages and highlighted the crucial role played by security and disaster response agencies in ensuring its smooth conduct.
“The overall role of Jammu and Kashmir Police is very important, along with other security forces. These mountain rescue teams are specially trained. Most of them have been deployed before as well. They provide all kinds of assistance, especially in emergencies, to pilgrims who come here from every corner of the country,” he said.
Enhanced Preparedness This Year
Mir said authorities have made additional efforts this year to strengthen rescue operations by augmenting equipment and improving logistical support for deployed teams.
“We are trying to provide better facilities for the mountain rescue teams so that they can offer better services to the pilgrims. We hope the yatra will be very successful. We will fulfil this duty and responsibility completely,” he added.
The deployment forms part of a comprehensive security and disaster management plan designed to safeguard thousands of pilgrims expected to undertake the annual pilgrimage.
Mock Drills Conducted Across Kashmir
As part of the preparations, authorities have also intensified security and emergency response measures by conducting mock drills across various districts of the Kashmir Valley.
Officials said the drills are aimed at assessing and strengthening security preparedness, emergency response capabilities and coordination among different agencies involved in managing the pilgrimage.
“To assess and strengthen the security preparedness, emergency response mechanisms and inter-agency coordination for the smooth and safe conduct of the annual pilgrimage, comprehensive mock drills are being conducted across the Valley,” officials said.
On Thursday, such exercises were carried out in Pulwama and Kulgam districts of South Kashmir.
Yatra Schedule
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28.
Every year, lakhs of devotees from across India undertake the challenging pilgrimage to the sacred cave shrine, located at an altitude of nearly 3,888 metres in the Himalayas, to pay obeisance to the naturally formed ice Shivling.
Authorities have expressed confidence that the enhanced deployment of rescue teams, strengthened security arrangements and coordinated disaster response mechanisms will ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage season.
