Pulwama Police conducting mock drill to strengthen security arrangements and enhance preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
By Tehelka Web Desk
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 annual Amarnath Yatra.
The teams, comprising 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), will be stationed at 21 locations along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes leading to the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir said the rescue teams would provide assistance to pilgrims and respond to emergencies during the pilgrimage.
“Like every year, our teams will be stationed there to assist pilgrims this year too. They will provide every kind of facility (to the devotees). And God forbid, if any disaster occurs, they will actively respond to it and tackle it,” Mir said.
Describing the pilgrimage as one of the country’s most significant religious events, Mir highlighted the role of security and rescue agencies in ensuring the safety of devotees.
“The overall role of Jammu and Kashmir Police in this is very important, along with other security forces. These mountain rescue teams are specially trained. Most of them have been deployed before as well. They provide all kinds of assistance, especially in emergencies, to pilgrims who come here from every corner of the country,” he added.
Mir said authorities had strengthened preparations and enhanced equipment for this year’s deployment.
“We are trying to provide better facilities for the mountain rescue team so that they can offer better services to the pilgrims. We hope the yatra will be very successful. We will fulfil this duty and responsibility completely,” he added.
Meanwhile, authorities conducted mock drills in several districts across the Kashmir Valley to assess security arrangements and emergency response systems ahead of the pilgrimage.
Officials said the exercises were aimed at strengthening security preparedness, improving emergency response mechanisms and enhancing coordination among various agencies involved in the yatra.
“To assess and strengthen the security preparedness, emergency response mechanisms, and inter-agency coordination for the smooth and safe conduct of the annual pilgrimage, authorities are conducting comprehensive mock drills across the Valley,” the officials said.
Mock drills were held in Pulwama and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir on Thursday as part of the preparations.
This year’s Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28.
