Restrictions tightened across Pahalgam, Baltal routes in name of yatra ‘security’
Srinagar: A multi-agency grid has been tightened across the Pahalgam and Baltal axes of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir as authorities gear up for the Amarnath Yatra, with Indian Army, police, paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force personnel conducting patrolling to curbs civilian movement.
According to Kashmir Media Service, DIG Javed Iqbal Mattoo chaired a briefing at Navayuga Tunnel Qazigund, Kulgam, with commanders of Rashtriya Rifles, SSP Kulgam, and CRPF battalion officers. The meeting finalised arrangements for the Pahalgam route, focusing on camp, traffic regulation on the highway, vehicle parking, and advance deployment of forces.
The DIG stressed “early securing of camps and routes,” ROPs, lateral deployments and special focus on “sensitive locations.”
Separately, DIG Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Pande reviewed preparedness at Joint Police Control Room Baltal with SSP Ganderbal. Officers assessed deployments, communications, traffic management and surveillance for the Baltal axis, and directed “highest standards of alertness, area domination, and route security.”
Authorities said logistics including mobility support, CCTVs and security gadgets will be provided for the 57-day Yatra expected to draw over 3.5 lakh pilgrims.
Critics say such blanket measures translate into tighter restrictions on locals across the axes every Yatra season.
