No helicopter service for Amarnath yatra this year

In a significant development ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir government has declared all pilgrimage routes to the shrine a ‘no-fly zone’, effectively suspending helicopter services for this year.

The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) announced that helicopter services, which are typically available on both the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route, will not be operational during the 2025 Yatra.

The decision follows a directive issued by the Home Department, under instructions from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, prohibiting the use of all aviation platforms—including helicopters, drones, UAVs, and even balloons—from July 1 to August 10.

The move comes as part of heightened security measures in the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in April, which claimed 26 lives.

“All routes of the Amarnath Yatra, including the Pahalgam and Baltal axes, have been declared ‘no-fly zones’ from July 1 to August 10, 2025,” read a notification on the official website of the Shrine Board.

“Consequently, helicopter services for pilgrim travel shall not be available in the yatra area during this period,” the statement added.

The Board has advised pilgrims to plan accordingly, stating, “Pilgrims may reach the Holy Cave on foot or avail services such as ponies and palkis throughout the yatra.”

Security has been significantly bolstered for this year’s pilgrimage. A total of 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are being deployed to ensure the safety of the lakhs of pilgrims expected to participate.

Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the decision “strange” and said it could send a negative signal to the rest of the country.

“This is the first time in many years that helicopter services are not being permitted from the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. I don’t have access to the intelligence inputs behind this decision, but it certainly raises concerns,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar.