BSF Director-General Praveen Kumar conducted a final security audit of the twin Amarnath Yatra tracks on 30 June, inspecting disaster-response posts, mountain-rescue gear and convoy procedures. The annual pilgrimage brings more than 400,000 devotees through high-altitude passes that abut the Line of Control, requiring multi-agency coordination. Dry-run exercises this week involved the National Security Guard and Jammu & Kashmir Police simulating hostage and avalanche scenarios, while token distribution for registration began in Jammu city. BSF said RFID-tagged vehicle convoys and real-time CCTV feeds will help manage crowd flow and deter terror threats. Although religious, the Yatra’s scale makes it a significant domestic mobility operation, with charter flights, special trains and hundreds of interstate buses carrying pilgrims—and with them, seasonal tourism revenue exceeding ₹3,000 crore. Corporates sponsoring employee groups should brief participants on altitude sickness protocols and ensure that personal accident policies cover the 13,000-ft trek. Authorities have reserved window periods for military and supply convoys to Ladakh to prevent logjams. Officials urged travellers to monitor weather alerts and carry original ID plus photocopies, as additional checks are enforced at base camps.
Source: DD India
