Exclusive/ Amarnath Yatra 2024: Mountain Rescue Teams Equipped With State-of-the-Art Gears For Pilgrims Safety

Anantnag: As commencement of annual Amarnath Yatra nears, preparations for large-scale deployment of joint Mountain Rescue Teams (MRT) have initiated. efforts are being taken to ensure safety and security of pilgrims.

ditional Director General of Police (Law & Order) cum Command General of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Vijay Kumar conducted thorough review of Mountain Rescue Teams (MRT).  

A total of 38 teams have been mobilised for annual pilgrimage, comprising 13 teams from Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), 11 from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), eight from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), four from Border Security Force (BSF) and two from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Teams Equipped With State-of--Art Rescue & Safety Gears 

joint Mountain Rescue Teams have been equipped with state-of--art rescue and safety equipment to tackle any emergencies along challenging pilgrimage routes.

Following a review of route, ditional sensitive locations have been identified for enhanced monitoring and security. Kumar emphasised critical role of se MRT units in ensuring a safe pilgrimage.

“Amarnath Yatra is a significant event, attracting thousands of devotees each year. Our priority is to ensure ir safety and well-being. joint efforts of se teams will enhance our capability to respond effectively to any situation,” he said during briefing.

Special attention was given to waterproofing of team’s clothing, essential for operations in rugged mountainous terrain where pilgrimage takes place.

Kumar also reviewed deployment strategy, suggesting inclusion of sensitive locations identified in recent route reviews, and briefed teams on challenges posed by climate change, including recent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incidents.

Following briefing, MRT units were deployed to strategic points along yatra routes to provide immediate assistance in case of medical emergencies, natural disasters, or or incidents that could jeopardize pilgrim safety.

joint efforts of JKP, SDRF, NDRF, BS and CRPF underscore a comprehensive approach aimed at ensuring safety of pilgrimage. Meanwhile, security measures have been extensively implemented to ensure a safe Amarnath Yatra for pilgrims commencing on June 29.

Amarnath Yatra 2024: Holy Cave 

cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters in Kashmir, houses a natural ice formation that changes in size with lunar phases. 

According to belief, ice formation represents mystical powers of Lord Shiva. Yatra is a challenging pilgrimage in Kashmir, where Hindu pilgrims are supported by Muslim pony handlers and ors to facilitate ir ‘Darshan’ inside cave shrine.

Pilgrims access cave shrine via eir shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district or tritional longer route from Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.