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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kumar also reviewed the deployment strategy, suggesting the 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 the briefing, the MRT units were deployed to strategic points along the yatra routes to provide immediate assistance in case of medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other incidents that could jeopardize pilgrim safety.

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

Amarnath Yatra 2024: The Holy Cave 

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

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

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