Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagged off 45 mountain rescue teams for deployment along the twin routes of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
The teams comprise personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Border Security Force (BSF). They will be stationed at 21 strategic locations along the pilgrimage routes leading to the holy Amarnath cave shrine.
Officials said the deployment aims to ensure swift assistance to pilgrims and strengthen emergency response capabilities during the annual pilgrimage.
“The teams will be stationed there as every year to assist pilgrims and provide all necessary support. In case of any disaster, they are trained to respond immediately and manage the situation effectively,” SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir told reporters.
Describing the Amarnath Yatra as a sacred pilgrimage, Mir said the role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies remains crucial in ensuring its smooth conduct. He added that the mountain rescue teams are specially trained and experienced in handling emergencies involving pilgrims arriving from across the country.
Mir further said that additional efforts have been made this year to enhance equipment and strengthen preparedness.
“We are trying to provide better facilities and resources to ensure improved service delivery to pilgrims. We hope for a safe and successful yatra,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials said comprehensive mock drills were conducted across several districts in the Kashmir Valley, including Pulwama and Kulgam in South Kashmir, as part of intensified security and preparedness measures.
The exercises aim to test emergency response mechanisms, assess inter-agency coordination, and ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28.
