Drones and jammers will keep Amanat Astra Pilgrims safe this year

Curry Mildred 2022/09/19

　　Drones, satellite tracking systems,drone radio frequency jamming, bulletproof fortresses, dog squads, and closed-circuit television cameras will ensure the safety of this year's Amanat Astra Pilgrims. According to intelligence sources, the annual pilgrimage is facing a terrorist threat.

　　As there has been a surge in terror attacks in the Valley recently, the security agencies have put in the “highest level of the security measures“ and deployed thousands of security personnel along the routes.

　　The 40-day Amarnath pilgrimage began with the first 2,280 pilgrims, who will reach the caves of Shiva through the shorter Baltal route and the 45-kilometer-long traditional Pahalgam route. The 72 convoys left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu at around 5.30 a.m., chanting "Jai Bholay Nath" and "Bum Bum Bhola."This year's Yatra is eight days shorter than last year's and will end on August 7th.

　　Crpf's special director-general, Sn Shrivastava, said the annual yatra was a "huge challenge" and that it would have the highest safety settings ever to ensure that it was accident-free." Given the intelligence input, we have made adequate security arrangements for the safety of pilgrims," he said.

　　More than 35,000 to 40,000 troops comprising special rapid action teams, police, army, BSF, and CRPF will guard the roads. Closed-circuit cameras were installed at sensitive locations along the highway and Yatra routes.

　　“We're not afraid of anything,” says Pilgrim Wallinder. “It's a call to Yatra. We don't have to be afraid.”.

　　Located in a narrow canyon at the far end of the Liddell Valley, the temple of Amanat is 3,888 m above sea level, 46 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal.

　　A 10-bed hospital has been established in Nunwan and a 20-bed hospital in Chandanwari to respond to any medical emergency. Oxygen cylinders, ECG machines, defibrillators, oxygen concentrators, CPR machines, X-ray machines, ventilators, and resuscitation sets have been installed and life-saving medicines will be available at the hospital, an official spokesman said.

　　CommentsResidential accommodation and mess facilities for about 250 medical personnel, including those arriving from different parts of the country, to provide medical assistance for the pilgrims have also been put in place.