Operation Shiva: The Indian Army has started a big security mission called Operation Shiva to make sure the Amarnath Yatra 2025 goes smoothly and safely. This yatra is a 38-day religious journey that started on July 3 and will end on August 9. Devotees take two different routes to reach the sacred cave, which sits at 3,880 meters high in the Himalayas. One route is 48 km long and goes through Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag. The other route is shorter, about 14 km, and starts from Baltal in Ganderbal.
To protect the pilgrims, the Army has deployed over 8,500 soldiers. They are not working alone. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the civil administration are also part of this joint effort, reported CNBC TV18.
The army has set up a strong multi-layer security system. This includes better protection against terrorism, well-placed troops along the route, and a proper security setup around the entire yatra area. After the earlier Operation Sindoor, where there were higher threats from groups supported by Pakistan, the army has made security even tighter this time.
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The Army has placed more than 50 anti-drone devices and electronic warfare systems to make sure no enemy drone can enter the area. At the same time, UAVs and drones are used to keep an eye on the whole route. PTZ cameras are being used for real-time video and convoy tracking. With all these technologies, security teams can act quickly if they see anything suspicious.
Army engineers are working hard too. They are fixing roads, building bridges, and preparing for any natural disaster that may happen. To support the pilgrims’ health, a medical team of over 150 staff members is on duty. They have opened more than nine medical aid posts and set up two advanced dressing stations. A big 100-bed field hospital is ready too. In addition, there are 26 oxygen booths with 2 lakh litres of oxygen in total.
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The Army has also made sure that everything needed for the yatra is ready. There are water stations, tent cities, bulldozers, excavators, bomb squads, emergency rations for 25,000 people, and even helicopter teams on standby in case of any emergency.
Till now, more than 1.4 lakh pilgrims have visited the ice lingam at the holy cave. Over 4.1 lakh people have already registered online for this year’s yatra. Last year, around 5.1 lakh pilgrims completed the journey.
