The 38-day-long yatra is scheduled to start on July 3 from the twin routes — the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in the Ganderbal district — leading to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for Kashmir from the Jammu-based Bhagwati Nagar base camp a day before the start of the yatra.

“The administration is ready and committed to ensuring a successful yatra this year. Jammu and Kashmir Police has made multi-tier security arrangements for the yatra,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti told reporters here.

Tuti, who along with divisional commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements, including security, for the yatra, said, “Just like we have been providing security in previous years, this year, even better arrangements are being made, whether in terms of the number of paramilitary forces, deployment in sensitive areas, or CCTV surveillance. Compared to earlier, more vigilant and multi-layered security is being ensured.”

Replying to a question about the deployment of forces for the yatra in the region, he said, “Apart from Jammu and Kashmir Police, more than 180 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed for the yatra.”

He said that security forces have been deployed along the Jammu Kashmir National Highway from Lakhanpur to Banihal. “From road opening parties to CCTV cameras, everything has been set up, and security has also been provided at langars, lodging centres. There was no ROP (road opening party) arrangement from Lakhanpur to Jammu last year, but this year there will be ROP here as well,” he said.

The IGP added that starting from July 2, the traffic police will issue a daily advisory. “Cut-off timings will be fixed at all points related to yatra movement. All pilgrims who wish to participate in the yatra must follow this advisory so that there are no problems or inconveniences,” he said.

He said all pilgrims are advised to join the main convoy that departs between 4:00 and 4:30 am. “Traveling individually will not be appropriate. Those travelling with the official convoy are provided with a secure environment, and it is safer to travel in an organised and protected setup,” he said.

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“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and briefed her about Operation Sindoor,” the President’s office posted on X.

Launched in the early hours of Wednesday, the tri-services operation was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Between 1.05 a.m. and 1.30 a.m., a barrage of 24 missiles hit nine terrorist facilities, including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke and key installations in Bahawalpur — locations long identified as breeding grounds for terror activities.

According to government sources, the operation killed an estimated 70 terrorists. Officials said the action was deliberately designed to be non-escalatory and proportionate, avoiding civilian and military infrastructure while specifically targeting verified terrorist camps.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a media briefing in New Delhi alongside Army Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, described the strikes as “measured and proportionate”.

He added that the attacks were launched in response to credible intelligence of impending attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits.

The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, attributed to The Resistance Front — a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba — claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. It was one of the deadliest civilian terror incidents on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Colonel Qureshi noted that Pakistan has, over the decades, developed a network of terror camps, launch pads, and recruitment centres across PoK and within its own borders.

“This operation was aimed at dismantling those very foundations,” she said, calling it a strategic shift in India’s counter-terror posture.

Foreign Secretary Misri stressed that India’s actions were compelled by the urgency to prevent further bloodshed.

“This morning’s strikes were precise, proportionate, and responsible — focused solely on neutralising terror threats.”

Real-time surveillance and post-strike assessments confirmed the destruction of the intended targets.

Operation Sindoor marks one of India’s most assertive cross-border military responses since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019.

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According to Army officials, the initiative aims to disrupt terrorist logistics, including the transportation of war-like stores (WLS) and the unauthorised movement through the region.

“Day and night patrolling by Army units has been scaled up, covering vulnerable stretches and strategic choke points along the highway. In coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), joint Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCPs) have been established at multiple locations. These MVCPs serve as dynamic security checkpoints, conducting surprise checks and increasing operational unpredictability for potential threats,” the Army said.

To further strengthen highway security, the latest surveillance and screening technologies have been deployed, including advanced vehicle scanners, AI-based facial recognition and identification system, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems at key junctions and entry-exit points.

“These technologies provide real-time data and enable prompt identification of suspicious vehicles and individuals, significantly boosting the capability to intercept threats before they materialise,” officials said. They added that the “multi-layered approach has already shown promising results, with several suspicious movements thwarted in recent weeks.”

“The enhanced presence and technology infusion have created a strong deterrent effect, making it increasingly difficult for terrorist elements to exploit NH-44 for their operations. The Indian Army’s proactive posture, in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police and aided by cutting-edge technology, underscores its commitment to maintaining peace and thwarting insurgent designs in the Union Territory. These measures are expected to further isolate and neutralise terrorist networks attempting to use the region’s infrastructure for unlawful activities,” officials said.

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Jammu, Apr 02: The Pakistan Army intruded into the Indian side and also violated the ceasefire by opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said on Wednesday.

The violation took place at 1.10 pm on Tuesday and the Indian troops responded with “controlled and calibrated” retaliation.

While the Indian Army made no mention of any casualty on the Pakistan side, official sources said five enemy soldiers were injured in the explosion and the subsequent firing between the two sides.

Jammu-based defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said in a statement that “On 01 Apr 2025, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LoC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army.”

“Own troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner. Situation is under control and being closely monitored,” he said.

He said the Indian Army reiterates the importance of upholding the tenets of Director Generals Military Operations (DGsMO) understanding of 2021 to maintain peace along the LoC.

Ceasefire violations along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have been rare since the two countries renewed an agreement on February 25, 2021.

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The observations were made by Justice Rahul Bharti while hearing a case of a petitioner being forced out of the corridors of court premises against her wishes.

The Court said that the incident exposed the lack of appropriate security measures including CCTV surveillance.

Justice Rahul Bharti expressed concern about the March 11 in which the petitioner was forced out of the corridors of the court premises.

“Yesterday’s development exposes lack of appropriate security measures including deficient CCTV installation on the court premises to ensure that each and every nook and corner gets under CCTV surveillance,” the order issued by the Court read.

The High Court further directed the Registrar Judicial Srinagar to carry out the audit of the CCTV installation on the court premises and submit a report by the next date. The case has been listed again for tomorrow.

The High Court has also shared its concern with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and asked it to  “come up with better instructions to the subordinate police establishment of the District Police so as to avoid repeat of omission and commission which came to take place yesterday on the premises of this court.”

“This court has registered its serious anguish and concern about the developments which came to take place yesterday i.e., on 11th of March, 2025 in the manner in which the petitioner no 1, in particular came to be forced out of the corridors of this court premises against her wishes that too not by the investigating police of the Police Station Parimpora but by a civilian person who is said to be the brother of the petitioner,” said Justice Bharti in the order.

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Speaking in an exclusive interview with ANI, the Army Chief suggested that India is now aggressive enough to respond if Pakistan provokes us.

“Now what has happened from 2014, if you see, that both sides have generally understood that we mean business. And India has said very clearly that we will be assertive in our communication. And if required, we can be aggressive also. So, what you have just spoken about, it was a kind of an indication that look, if you force us, then we will be aggressive enough to communicate our intent,” he said.

General Dwivedi also stressed the impact of the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that the number of terrorists and the recruitment of locals have significantly gone down, and people no longer have “confusion” over identity.

The Army Chief emphasized that the decision to revoke the special status reflected India’s intent to take a “no compromise” approach.

“The local terrorist number has reduced. The number of recruitment has also reduced a lot. Why? As of August 2019, India has very clearly conveyed its intent to complete J-K. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. And there is no compromise on that,” General Dwivedi said.
The Chief of Army Staff gave an example of the identity issue people of J-K faced before the abrogation of Article 370, noting resolving the matter had also helped solve the issue of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) –people who help terrorists.

He said the wife of a senior political leader in the state had said that after August 2019, when her children went to school, they didn’t have confusion, as earlier, they did not know which flag to draw when asked to do so.

“But after August 5, 2019, children are very clear about which flag is to be drawn in their copy. So that is the intent which has been conveyed. So once that intent has been conveyed, it means the OGW’s number will definitely go down,” General Dwivedi said.

He mentioned that security forces’ collaborative efforts to help the people of Kashmir and the theme of “terrorism to tourism” have resulted in success.

“…And the best part is you will find that the inter agencies, the security forces and law enforcement agencies…three have joined hands together to help Awam. And now you have injected the development. Once you’ve done all these things, definitely there’ll be a sea change. And that’s why we are saying that our theme of terrorism to tourism is actually seeing signs of success today. More than five lakh pilgrims in Amarnath Yatra. It was never heard of earlier.” the COAS said.

Speaking about the three attacks that happened within a week last year, the Army Chief said, “Such kind of events keep taking place. It happens. And that’s why you have the flag meeting system. When you go for the flag meeting, you discuss frankly what is there, what not. If it’s not getting resolved there, then it is there to the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) level.”

Speaking about Pakistan’s mentality about Kashmir, the Army Chief said that they are stuck in their own world. General Dwivedi took a jibe at Pakistan saying that the Pakistan army has said something and now they don’t have a way out, so they keep ‘lingering’ on the topic.

“See, they are stuck in their own words. There is a movie by Devanand Ji; I think Narayan Ji has written this book. RK Narayan. Do you remember when Devanandji became a sadhu in the last? And he was a madman, so he went and announced that Swamiji had said, I will fast until it rains. Now Pakistan Army has once said that we have to do this. Now they don’t have a way out of it. So they will continue to look for Kashmir,” General Dwivedi said.

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During his visit, IGP Birdi chaired a high-level joint security review meeting at DPO Anantnag, focusing on enhanced coordination, joint resource utilization, and operational efficiency. The Meeting was attended by senior officers from the Police and CRPF, who deliberated on joint deployment strategies, operational preparedness, and emerging security challenges. He commended the efforts of both forces in maintaining law and order and stressed the need for continued collaboration to strengthen the region’s security framework.

IGP Birdi also inspected the Special Operations Group (SOG), reviewing their operational readiness and capabilities. He expressed satisfaction with their high level of training and professionalism, acknowledging their critical role in counter-terror operations. Discussions also included the summer operation strategy, outlining key security tactics and contingency plans for the upcoming season.

Later, IGP Birdi visited the 90th Battalion CRPF camp, where a joint demonstration of operational tactics was conducted by SOG and CRPF personnel. The demonstration showcased advanced operational skills, coordination, and response strategies, reaffirming the commitment of both forces to maintaining peace and security in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP Birdi praised the dedication and professionalism of the personnel, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration and proactive measures to counter evolving security challenges.

The visit was attended by IG Ops CRPF Shri Mitesh Jain, Joint Director IB Pankaj Thakur, DIG SKR Javid Iqbal Matoo, DIG CRPF Anantnag Kulvir Singh Deswal, DIG CRPF Awantipora Alok Awasthi, SSP Anantnag Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Kulgam Sahil Sarangal, SSP Pulwama Ms. P.D. Nitya, SSP Shopian Anayat Ali Choudhary, SSP Awantipora Sajad Ahmad, and commandants of CRPF, IRP, among other Senior officers.

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Accompanied by DIG JSK Range, the IGP reviewed the deployment of personnel, security measures, and law enforcement preparedness in the area.

IGP Jammu interacted with the personnel deployed on duty and inquired about their operational challenges and requirements. He also instructed the officers to remain proactive and ensure that the security measures are rigorously enforced, contributing to the well-being of the local population and smooth law enforcement operations.

“The visit focused on evaluating the effectiveness of patrolling, traffic management, and security arrangements along the crucial thoroughfare. Both the IGP and DIG emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust and responsive policing system, particularly in areas with significant traffic flow and strategic importance,” a Police spokesperson said.

The IGP emphasised continuous vigilance and improvement in the policing strategies.

“Further measures to enhance the security in the region are under review, with a focus on real-time monitoring and prompt responses to any emerging situations,” the spokesperson said, quoting IGP.

The post IGP Jammu conducts late-night security review of ring road appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

He also called for intensified efforts to wipe out terrorism from Jammu province and said every perpetrator and supporter of terrorism must pay the price.

“We must strengthen border security against asymmetric threats due to porous border with riverines and difficult mountain range and all the security agencies must work together to provide necessary back-up support,” the Lieutenant Governor said, chairing a high-level meeting to review the security scenario in Jammu division.

This was the second security review meeting chaired by the lieutenant governor in as many days. On Wednesday, Sinha presided over a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar for Kashmir valley.

The back-to-back security review meetings took place amid a series of incidents along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu division over the past couple of days.

While two army personnel, including a captain, were killed in a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion triggered by the terrorists in Akhnoor sector of Jammu on February 11, a soldier was injured in cross-border firing in Rajouri sector a day earlier.

The Pakistani troops also violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing on the army posts in Poonch sector on Wednesday, prompting a befitting reply by the Indian Army.

The security review meeting in Jammu was attended by senior police officers led by DGP Nalin Prabhat, who along with Inspector General of Police, Jammu zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, briefed the chair on the future action plan and the proposed measures to tackle the security challenges to ensure a safe and secure environment for the common citizen, an official spokesman said.

He said the IGP railways also gave a detailed presentation on the security architecture of railways and the roadmap put in place to strengthen the security of stations and the tracks.

“Our focus should be on complete wipe-out of terrorism from Jammu division. We should not even have remnants of terrorism in Jammu region,” the lieutenant governor said, addressing the meeting.

He called for effective steps to wipe-out terrorism and ensure complete dismantling of the infrastructure and local support of terrorism.

The lieutenant governor directed the police officials to take strongest possible action against those providing logistical and financial support to terrorism.

“Every perpetrator and supporter of terrorism must pay the price. We need to equip ourselves with credible intelligence and act more effectively to neutralise the terrorists and ensure the security of citizens,” he said.

Sinha directed the police officials to make sure that acts of individuals or groups trying to create fear in the society are termed as “terrorist action” and they should be punished as per the law.

He discussed a roadmap for technology driven policing, area domination plan, inter-agency coordination, action against narco-terrorism, capacity building of police force and innovative strategies to improve cyber patrolling and monitoring capabilities.

The lieutenant governor stressed on credible intelligence gathering, sharing of real time operational intelligence and anti-terror operations based on precise inputs.

He also called for strengthening the legal framework to deal with terror propagandists and strengthening of police establishment at local level for modern and efficient policing.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also sanctioned a fresh battalion of specially trained personnel, recently withdrawn from Parliament security duties, to be attached to the CRPF VIP security wing.

Sources said the protection of nine ‘Z plus’ category VIPs being guarded by the ‘black cat’ commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG)– Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, his predecessor and BSP supremo Mayawati, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, veteran BJP leader and former deputy prime minister L K Advani, Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP leader and ex Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) president Ghulam Nabi Azad, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu– will now be guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The transfer of duties between the two forces under the MHA is expected to be completed within a month, they said.

The CRPF which has six VIP security battalions has been asked to absorb a seventh battalion for this purpose. The fresh battalion is the one that used to guard the Parliament till a few months back. After a security breach that took place last year, the Parliament security was handed over to the CISF from the CRPF, a senior officer told PTI.

As part of the taking over the new task, a team of Andhra Pradesh Police was in Delhi recently for the change of its chief minister’s security from the NSG to the CRPF, the sources said.

Two among these nine VIPs will also have the advanced security liaison (ASL) protocol being undertaken by the CRPF– Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Adityanath, as per the sources.

ASL involves an advance reconnaissance of the location to be visited by the VIP. The CRPF undertakes such a protocol for five of its VIPs including Home Minister Amit Shah, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and three Gandhi family Congress leaders.

The plan to relieve NSG from VIP security tasks has been in the making since 2012 when NSG commanders foresaw an event where simultaneous terror attacks could be witnessed at one time on multiple centres in the country and the commandos would have to be rushed in different directions.

PTI had reported in January 2020, that after the removal of the SPG (special protection group) from the Gandhi family– Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra– a committee of the MHA had decided to withdraw NSG from VIP security tasks.

The Union government has decided to “restructure” the NSG and use its manpower to raise and station ‘strike teams’ of commandos in some high-risk areas like near the Ram temple in Ayodhya and around some critical assets located in the southern part of the country.

Withdrawal of the NSG from VIP security, once done by November, will happen after over two decades since the ‘black cat’ commandos were drafted in this duty, a task not originally charted for it when the force was conceptualised and raised in 1984.

The NSG is celebrating its 40th raising day on Wednesday.

The Union government “is of the view” that the NSG should concentrate on its original charter of handling specific tasks of counterterrorist and counter-hijack operations and that the task of securing high-risk VIPs was proving to be a “burden” on its limited and specialist capabilities.

Around 450 ‘black cat’ commandos are expected to be freed once NSG is withdrawn from VIP security duties, the sources had said.

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