Ishtiyaq Kar
Jammu, May 29 (KINS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Thursday evening for a crucial two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources told news agency KINS that Shah, who arrived in Jammu this evening, is likely to chair a high-level security meeting at Raj Bhawan to review the security preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which is set to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9.
The meeting will be attended by the J&K Lieutenant Governor, top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and heads of security agencies including the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and J&K Police.
The Home Minister’s visit is his first since Operation Sindoor, and his second after the Pahalgam terror attack, underlining the Centre’s focus on reinforcing security ahead of the Yatra.
Officials said that Shah will fly to Poonch tomorrow to meet families affected by recent Pakistani shelling during the military standoff earlier this month.
Ahead of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, the Centre has approved a massive deployment of 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — approximately 42,000 personnel — to safeguard the Yatra routes, pilgrims, base camps, and sensitive regions, including Srinagar. Of these, 424 companies will be fresh deployments, while around 80 units stationed during Operation Sindoor will be reallocated for Yatra security.
Security forces have been directed to occupy their assigned positions by mid-June, with advanced surveillance systems being installed along borders and sensitive points. BSF has confirmed that powerful new sensors capable of detecting cross-border movements are being rapidly deployed to prevent infiltration.
Earlier this week, CRPF DG Gyanendra Pratap Singh conducted an aerial survey of the Yatra route and held a comprehensive review of security arrangements in Kashmir. BSF DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary is also expected to review border security in Srinagar in the coming days.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam to inspect the ongoing preparations.
Officials said that both Pahalgam and Baltal routes are being secured with multilayered security cover including drone surveillance, anti-sabotage checks, and enhanced road-opening parties.(KINS)
