By The Sampadak Express
The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes of the Amarnath Yatra as ‘No-Fly Zones’ from July 1 to August 10, in a move aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims amid heightened security concerns.
As per the official order issued by the J&K Home Department, the ban includes all aerial platforms such as drones, UAVs, and balloons. The directive, issued on the instructions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, comes in the wake of recent security threats in the region. Exceptions have been made only for medical evacuations, disaster response, and security surveillance operations.
The decision follows recommendations made by the Ministry of Home Affairs and other key security stakeholders during a series of high-level meetings held over the past week.
This year’s yatra, beginning July 3, will be the first major religious gathering since the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 militants were reportedly killed in an encounter at Baisaran meadow, and the subsequent four-day cross-border skirmish in May.
A senior police official, requesting anonymity, said the administration is taking no chances with pilgrim safety. “After the recent attack on tourists near Pahalgam, security protocols have been upgraded. Every potential threat is under scrutiny and strong preventive measures are being implemented,” the officer said.
Security forces have already launched ‘Operation Shiva’, under which nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel, in coordination with the J&K Police, are carrying out daily road-opening exercises to detect and neutralize explosives, including IEDs, along the pilgrimage routes.
For the first time, signal jammers will be deployed to shield the yatra convoys from remote-triggered threats. Routes have been secured, and additional layers of security have been rolled out across the Union Territory in preparation for the yatra.
The administration has assured the public and devotees of all possible support to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage this year.
