Amarnath Yatra 2025: Record Troop Deployment, 38-Day Schedule, New Safety Measures

06 June, 2025

With just less than one month left of the Amarnath Yatra to begin, the mood in the Kashmir Valley is a mix of devotion and caution. As pilgrims prepare for the sacred journey to the Himalayan cave shrine, security forces are stepping up their presence across the region. The annual pilgrimage would commence from July 3 and would culminate on August 9 with added security.

The 2025 Amarnath Yatra will witness the highest-ever deployment of security forces, with nearly 50,000 CRPF personnel positioned along the two designated routes to the shrine, as Security forces, including the Indian Army, CRPF and Jammu & Kashmir police, have launched ‘Operation Shiva’ to ensure that the 2025 Amarnath Yatra is safe and smooth.

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam has raised fresh concerns, prompting a flurry of safety measures, from intensified patrolling to high-tech surveillance, all aimed at ensuring a smooth and secure pilgrimage this year.

Also, the duration of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in Jammu and Kashmir, has been reduced to 38 days for the first time, compared to 52 days last year. 

Nearly 50,000 CRPF personnel, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police, will be deployed for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Security forces will carry out road opening operations to detect hidden explosives and IEDs along the route. Quick Reaction Teams will be stationed at key locations to tackle any potential threats. According to reports, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed all security agencies to remain on high alert during the pilgrimage. Senior officials from the administration, police, and paramilitary forces have already reviewed the arrangements at Yatri Niwas.

For the first time, signal jammers will be installed to secure the Shri Amarnath Yatra convoy, which will be protected by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). To ensure foolproof security, all access roads to the Yatra route and National Highways will be temporarily shut during convoy movement.

The multi-layered security grid includes Road Opening Parties (ROPs) to clear and secure the paths, Quick Action Teams (QATs) for swift threat response, Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) to detect and neutralise explosives, K9 sniffer units, and drone-based aerial surveillance.

The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board has tightened eligibility rules for this year’s Yatra. Pilgrims below 13 and above 70 years of age will not be allowed to participate, regardless of medical certification. Pregnant women are also prohibited from undertaking the pilgrimage.

To enhance security and monitoring, all yatris and convoy vehicles will be equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, enabling real-time tracking by security agencies. Continuous drone surveillance will be maintained along the route, while rapid-response teams have been placed on high alert to swiftly counter any potential threat.