Over 40,000 troops to be deployed for Amarnath Yatra

More than 40,000-odd troops under a total of 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be deployed for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which will start on July 3 and continue till August 9, as part of the heightened security arrangements in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor offensive against Pakistan.

Sources privy to developments informed that CRPF will send the highest number of 219 companies for deployment, followed by 143 companies of the BSF, 97 companies of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), 62 companies of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 60 companies of CISF.

Normally there are around 70 to 75 jawans in a company, thus around 40,000-odd personnel will be deployed on the ground for the annual pilgrimage, which incidentally starts from Chandanwari in Pahalgam, which is just six km from Baisaran valley, where terrorists had gunned down 26 tourists and locals on April 22.

While 424 companies are being sent to J&K, the remaining companies will be used for securing the route of the Yatra as well as the pilgrims, sources informed further. Earlier, ahead of the Home Minister’s two-day visit to the Union Territory, CRPF DG GP Singh on Wednesday conducted a strategic review of preparedness for the Amarnath pilgrimage to ensure its smooth conduct.

Singh had visited key pilgrimage locations, including the base and transit camps of the pilgrimage and assessed on-ground arrangements.

During his visit to Srinagar, CRPF DG also chaired a high-level strategy meet at the group centre with senior officers and commandants of the Valley-based units, reviewing the security landscape and operational posture.