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In view of the annual Amarnath Yatra and recent security concerns following infiltration attempts, the Punjab Police has implemented heightened security measures across Pathankot and border areas. Under the directive of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, these efforts are aimed at ensuring the safety and seamless travel of devotees during this revered pilgrimage.
The state’s Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) for Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, presided over a crucial high-level meeting on Wednesday in Pathankot. The meeting convened senior officials from Punjab Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Himachal Pradesh Police, Indian Army, civil administration, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF), and other Central Agencies, and various security agencies to strategize and review comprehensive security arrangements.
The discussions focused on multiple facets of security preparedness, encompassing strategic deployment of forces, traffic management strategies, disaster response mechanisms, and recent incidents involving sightings of armed suspects in nearby regions like Kot Bhattian village, Bamial, and Kathua district.
Special DGP Shukla underscored the deployment of a robust security apparatus, comprising 550 Punjab Police personnel, including Special Operations Group (SOG) units, sniper detachments, and bomb disposal squads. To bolster defenses, eight secondary defense nakas (checkpoints) have been established along critical routes leading to the yatra.
The security measures have been meticulously planned and executed across five designated sectors, with additional deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies stationed at key junctures. At langar sites along the yatra route, advanced security provisions such as surveillance cameras, bulletproof morchas (towers), and increased SOG deployment are in place to ensure comprehensive protection.
Effective management of parking facilities, trauma centers, ambulance services, and swift response capabilities have been integrated into operational plans across all sectors. To enhance vigilance against potential threats, drone surveillance systems have been deployed for real-time monitoring, complemented by joint check posts manned jointly by BSF and Pathankot Police.
Continued vigilance includes regular Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) and anti-tunnelling measures to preempt any security breaches. Robust disaster management protocols have been reinforced to address contingencies such as fires or flash floods, ensuring a coordinated response framework.
The meeting emphasized the critical importance of seamless coordination among all stakeholders, advocating for strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to uphold safety and operational efficiency throughout the yatra period.
Key attendees included DIG Border Range Rakesh Kaushal, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Shashank Anand, Pathankot Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal, Pathankot SSP Suhail Qasim Mir, Kathua SSP Anayat Ali, and Wing Commander AIF Pathankot Narinder Singh, along with senior officials from various central agencies.
