Due to increased safety concerns and the risk of drone attacks, the Jammu and Kashmir government has declared the entire Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage route a ‘No Flying Zone.’
The Home Department of the Union Territory, following advice from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has banned all flying devices like drones, UAVs, and balloons along both main routes of the pilgrimage, the longer Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
“This measure is part of the broader security protocol to safeguard pilgrims and support staff against emerging threats, particularly the misuse of drone technology by militant elements.” But the ban will not affect flying for medical emergencies, disaster help, or security agency surveillance.
This year, the yatra will start on July 3 and end on August 9, lasting 38 days. This is shorter than last year’s 52-days yatra. Officials said the shorter time is part of better security and planning.
Stronger Measures After Pahalgam Attack
The Amarnath Yatra attracts hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over India and the world. It has long been a target for terror groups. Recently, security forces have become more worried about drones being used to smuggle weapons or carry out attacks, this is a new tactic in areas affected by insurgency.
Because of the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, where 25 tourists and a local person were killed, extra security steps are being taken to make sure the yatra is safe. Nearly 580 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF) will be deployed along the yatra route. Aerial surveillance, RFID tracking of pilgrims, and several layers of security will also help protect the yatra.
With just two weeks left before the pilgrimage starts, the authorities are being very careful. “The no-flying order is a precautionary but necessary move, given the nature of threats we face today,” a police official said.
The annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine at 3,880 metres high, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most important religious events in India and a big challenge for the administration to manage.
