Kishtwar, July 13: Ahead of the annual Shri Machail Mata Yatra, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban (DKR) Range, Sargun Shukla (IPS) on Monday visited the revered Shri Chandi Mata Machail Shrine in Kishtwar district to review the overall security preparedness for the forthcoming pilgrimage.
The DIGP was accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Naresh Singh (JKPS) during the visit.
At the shrine, the DIGP inspected the existing security arrangements and interacted with police personnel deployed for the Yatra. She reviewed access control measures, surveillance mechanisms, deployment plans and crowd management strategies aimed at ensuring the safety and convenience of thousands of pilgrims expected to participate in the annual pilgrimage.
Following the shrine visit, the DIGP chaired a comprehensive security review meeting at the District Police Lines (DPL), Kishtwar. During the meeting, SSP Kishtwar delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining the district’s security plan for the Yatra.
The presentation covered security arrangements at Yatra lodgement centres, identification of vulnerable and shadow areas, deployment at langar sites, establishment of police assistance booths, positioning of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), route security, surveillance systems and emergency response mechanisms.
Reviewing the operational preparedness, DIGP Sargun Shukla directed officers to ensure foolproof security at all critical locations and maintain close coordination among police, civil administration and other security agencies. She stressed the importance of heightened vigilance, robust ground-level intelligence gathering and effective deployment in vulnerable and high-altitude areas along the pilgrimage route.
She also instructed officers to ensure proper briefing of all deployed personnel, regular inspection of equipment and proactive policing to eliminate any possibility of security lapses while facilitating a safe, secure and pilgrim-friendly environment throughout the Yatra.
Appreciating the efforts of District Police Kishtwar in making elaborate preparations, the DIGP expressed confidence that with coordinated planning, professional commitment and seamless inter-agency coordination, the Shri Machail Mata Yatra 2026 would be conducted peacefully, safely and successfully.
