Tight security arrangements in place ahead of Budha Amarnath Yatra in Poonch

Poonch, July 27:  With the annual Budha Amarnath Yatra set to commence from Mandi in the Poonch district, security forces have intensified preparations to ensure a smooth and peaceful pilgrimage.Multiple security agencies, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu & Kashmir Police, Special Operations Group (SOG), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and other paramilitary units, have been stationed at key locations along the yatra route. The entire region has been placed on high alert in anticipation of the influx of pilgrims, many of whom travel from outside the Union Territory.According to officials, the first batch of registered pilgrims will arrive in Poonch on July 28, 2025, and will proceed to Budha Amarnath Temple in Mandi on July 29, 2025.Security checkpoints have been established at multiple points, especially around the Budha Amarnath shrine, where personnel from the Indian Army, CRPF, J&K Police, and other forces are conducting round-the-clock patrolling and strict vehicle checks. Particular attention is being given to pilgrims arriving from other states, with intensified verification measures to prevent any untoward incidents.From Jammu to Poonch and up to the Budha Amarnath Temple, security forces have been strategically deployed along the route. Surveillance has been enhanced through the installation of CCTV cameras at vulnerable spots, and real-time monitoring is underway.Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch, Shafqat Hussain, confirmed that all necessary deployments have been made across the district. He emphasized that maintaining peace, communal harmony, and ensuring the safe completion of the yatra remains the top priority of the administration.