Amarnath Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave in Jammu and Kashmir attracting thousands of devotees to worship the ice Shiv Ling .
But this year , it will be different as after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, security for the Amarnath Yatra has been significantly intensified. Over 42,000 personnel , drone surveillance and no-fly zones were enforced. Despite initial fear and a dip in pilgrim registrations, the yatra resumed under tight security with authorities ensuring safe passage through the Pahalgam route.
It is a dense moment through which this year’s Amarnath Yatra is taking place under the shadow of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack , where 26 civilians were killed .
The military and CAPFs are operating in a three-tier security framework that are classified as Outer perimeter , Transit and base camps and Inner trekking routes with security measures like CCTV, metal detectors, biometric checks, bomb squad ,augmented by drone surveillance, K9 squads , quick‑response teams and more.
“No-fly zones have been enforced over the pilgrimage routes, and every potential threat scenario has been mapped with multi-layered responses ready” , stated by an official involved in the operation.
Over 60,000 yatris have already taken the Pahalgam route this season. Due to recent terror incidents in Kashmir , the Army has intensified patrolling and area domination operations. Route sanitisation is carried out daily, particularly on the stretches between Chandanwari and Panchtarni .
Despite these measures, numbers have dipped approximately 10%, attributed to sensitive safety concerns following the April incident .
The locals of Pahalgam voiced mixed reactions with some taking it positively and welcoming the visible security presence while some are tagged it as “garrison town” amidst the atmosphere and impact on daily life and tourism.
As the Amarnath Yatra continues until 19th August , authorities reaffirm their commitment to a safe pilgrimage, with the Army’s strategic deployment under the Pahalgam Shadow remaining a key pillar of protection.
