LG Orders Intensified Anti-Terror Operations, Reviews Amarnath Yatra Safety Amid Adverse Weather
Srinagar, July 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar with senior officials of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Civil Administration, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, directing security agencies to remain on high alert, intensify intelligence-led anti-terror operations and proactively neutralise emerging security threats.
The meeting was attended by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Northern Command) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Special DG Coordination S.J.M. Gillani, GOC 15 Corps Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, GOC 16 Corps Lieutenant General P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary Home Chanderkar Bharti, Additional Director Intelligence Bureau Pankaj Thakur, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and CEO Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, ADGP CID Nitish Kumar, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Inspector Generals of Police and senior officers from the civil administration, armed forces, security agencies and the Shrine Board.
The Lieutenant Governor also conducted a comprehensive review of logistics, safety and weather-response arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in view of the recent spell of inclement weather and heavy rainfall across the region.
He directed all departments to maintain seamless coordination and ensure the safety, well-being and convenience of pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Baba Barfani.
Reviewing essential services, the Lieutenant Governor ordered department-wise assessments of all facilities, including rigorous audits of fire and emergency services, power infrastructure and water supply systems to ensure uninterrupted services along the pilgrimage route.
Officials informed the meeting that more than 3.91 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine during the first 20 days of the Yatra.
The Lieutenant Governor said the resumption of the Yatra would remain strictly subject to prevailing weather conditions and directed authorities to strengthen flood protection measures and immediately clear debris from all nallahs along both pilgrimage routes following recent heavy rainfall.
He emphasised the need for round-the-clock disaster response preparedness, continuous operational readiness, clean and well-maintained tracks, improved sanitation, and adequate reserves of rations, LPG, kerosene and emergency medical supplies at all designated locations.
To further enhance pilgrim safety, the Lieutenant Governor directed officials to prohibit the operation of unregistered service providers and ensure the implementation of a mandatory 100 per cent prepaid service system along the Yatra routes.
He also ordered the installation of additional diesel generator sets, uninterrupted healthcare services, adequate deployment of manpower, sufficient availability of oxygen cylinders and ambulances, and strengthening of emergency response infrastructure.
The Lieutenant Governor further instructed authorities to ensure effective traffic management, conduct regular inspections of vehicles, maintain all emergency equipment in operational condition and issue timely weather advisories. He also directed that every tent be equipped with a fire extinguisher and that specialised wildlife response teams be deployed along the pilgrimage tracks.
Commending the collective efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army, Civil Administration, CAPFs, intelligence agencies, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, service providers, volunteers, stakeholders and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said their dedication has played a vital role in ensuring the safe and smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department Ashwani Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department Anil Kumar Singh; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department Dr Ashish Chandra Verma; Commandant General, Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF A.G. Mir; Nodal Officer for the Pahalgam Axis Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Nodal Officer for the Baltal Axis Rahul Yadav, Administrative Secretaries and senior officers of various line departments also attended the meeting. ANB
