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 Shri Amarnath Yatra in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
The teams include personnel from 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 to ensure safety and provide emergency assistance to devotees.
Officials said the rescue teams are specially trained for high-altitude operations and will play a crucial role in responding to emergencies, medical situations, and natural disasters during the Yatra.
SDRF Director Imtiyaz Hussain Mir said the teams are equipped to assist pilgrims from across the country and will remain on standby throughout the pilgrimage. He added that additional equipment and resources have been deployed this year to strengthen response capabilities.
Authorities also confirmed that mock drills are being conducted across multiple districts in the Valley, including Pulwama and Kulgam, to test emergency preparedness, coordination among agencies, and overall security arrangements.
The Shri Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3 and will conclude on August 28 this year. Officials said all arrangements are being reviewed to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
