Associated News Bureau

IGP Kashmir Reviews Multi-Agency Security Preparedness for Amarnath Yatra, Muharram and Kheer Bhawani Mela

Srinagar, June 12: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, V.K. Birdi, on Friday chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess preparedness and strengthen arrangements for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026), Muharram observances, and the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela. The meeting, held at the Police Control Room (PCR) Kashmir, was attended by senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, intelligence agencies, traffic police, railways, telecommunications and other security and civil agencies. During the meeting, officers briefed the chair on deployment plans, route security measures, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, traffic management strategies, communication preparedness, emergency response systems and logistical arrangements aimed at ensuring the smooth and peaceful conduct of the upcoming events. Reviewing the overall security framework, IGP Kashmir emphasized the need for seamless inter-agency coordination, uninterrupted communication networks and a unified operational strategy to maintain a secure environment during the religious gatherings and pilgrimage. With regard to Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, Birdi directed officers to strictly adhere to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and strengthen preventive security measures. He stressed the importance of heightened vigilance, particularly at vulnerable locations and along designated pilgrimage routes, while also reviewing contingency planning, disaster response preparedness, crowd management protocols and emergency coordination mechanisms. Assessing preparations for Muharram, the IGP underscored the importance of ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of religious processions and gatherings across the Valley. He instructed officers to put in place comprehensive security and traffic arrangements, strengthen crowd-control measures and maintain close coordination with organisers and community representatives. Reviewing arrangements for the annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, Birdi called for robust security and facilitation measures for devotees expected to participate in the event. He directed officials to ensure thorough sanitisation of shrine premises, adequate deployment of security personnel and effective traffic management to facilitate a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage experience. Concluding the meeting, the IGP expressed confidence in the preparedness of all participating agencies and reiterated the commitment of the security establishment to ensuring the peaceful, secure and successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, Muharram observances and the Kheer Bhawani Mela.