For the first time, a women contingent of CRPF has been deployed at Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam for the Amarnath Yatra. This team will be responsible for frisking and assisting the women pilgrims to facilitate their security check.
CRPF women contingent deployed for security of Amarnath Yatra
Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir) [भारत]June 30 (ANI): Adding another layer to the elaborate security arrangements for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, an all-women contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been deployed at the Nunawan Base Camp near Pahalgam to search and assist female pilgrims.
The female personnel are responsible for frisking the female devotees, managing the queues, assisting elderly women and ensuring smooth movement at the security checkpoints before proceeding towards the holy cave shrine.
Women soldiers came from all over the country
Among the personnel on duty is Muskaan Tyagi from Uttar Pradesh, who joined the CRPF in 2023. She is part of a team of over a dozen women personnel deployed at Nunawan Camp, one of the major base camps on the traditional Pahalgam route. Along with Tyagi, Aarti Singh of Uttar Pradesh, Sandhya Rani of Andhra Pradesh, Kiran of Nagaland, Somashree of West Bengal and Asha Bai Meena of Rajasthan are also serving.
This diverse team reflects the nationwide representation of CRPF, with personnel from different states working together to ensure the safety and convenience of women pilgrims.
Apart from conducting security checks, the women personnel are also helping the devotees by providing directions, facilitating orderly movement through the camp and providing assistance to senior citizens and first-time pilgrims. Their deployment has been welcomed by women devotees, who said the presence of women security personnel makes the screening process more comfortable.
Multi-layered security system for travel
Nunawan Camp serves as the major base camp on the traditional 48 km long Pahalgam route to the sacred cave temple. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to pass through this camp during the yatra, making security management and crowd control important.
The CRPF, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army and other security agencies, has set up a multi-layered security grid on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Security measures include road opening parties, bomb detection and disposal squads, dog squads, drone surveillance, night patrolling and quick response teams to ensure incident-free pilgrimage.
Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3, in which the pilgrims will travel via dual routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district to offer prayers at the holy cave shrine located in the Himalayas.
Additionally, heavy multi-pronged security arrangements have been significantly intensified at the Nunawan Base Camp, with security forces maintaining a tight vigil to ensure the safety of thousands of pilgrims making the journey since July 3.
Security personnel have tightened surveillance in the camp and its surrounding areas as part of a comprehensive security plan made for the Yatra. Officials said entry into the camp is being closely monitored, with security personnel carrying out regular patrolling, searches and vehicle checks.
Multiple security agencies, including Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police (CRPF) and other partner agencies, have been deployed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and respond rapidly to any security-related situation. Surveillance equipment and checkpoints have also been installed to ensure foolproof security arrangements.
Bomb disposal squad and dog squad also deployed
Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams and dog squads have also been deployed at Nunawan Base Camp as part of the multi-tier security arrangement. They are carrying out regular anti-sabotage checks, explosive detection and sanitizing the area to ensure a safe environment for the pilgrims before the Amarnath Yatra.
The increased security comes just days before the start of the pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on July 3 and end on August 28.
Extensive facilities for pilgrims
Pilgrims coming from different parts of the country will first halt at the Nunwan Base Camp before starting their journey towards the cave temple via the traditional Pahalgam route. Nunawan Camp has been equipped to accommodate a large number of pilgrims and has been provided with essential facilities including accommodation, medical aid, sanitation, drinking water and food services. Authorities have also made arrangements for emergency response teams and disaster management personnel to be on standby during the entire pilgrimage.
Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is one of the most important annual religious pilgrimages in India, attracting millions of devotees every year. The traditional Pahalgam route is preferred by many pilgrims due to its gradual climb and beautiful landscape, although it takes longer than the Baltal route.
With the 57-day pilgrimage beginning on Friday, the authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensure a safe, smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage. Security forces are on high alert in Nunawan and the entire route, and are working closely with the civil administration to provide a safe environment for devotees visiting the holy cave shrine. (ANI)
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