Pathankot (Punjab) [India], Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed Punjab Police to ensure smooth and safe passage for devotees going for Amarnath Yatra, Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting of the police, army, civil administration and other security agencies to take stock of the security arrangements in this regard.
The meeting, held in Pathankot, focused on strategic preparations for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, covering various aspects such as police deployment, security measures, traffic management and disaster management, Department of Information and Public Relations, said Punjab.
The examination also focused on recent incidents involving sightings of armed suspects in Kot Bhattian village, Bamial, and an encounter with an armed suspect in Kathua district.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of Punjab Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Himachal Pradesh Police, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF) and other central agencies.
Special DGP Arpit Shukla, while chairing the meeting, deliberated on how to secure the international border and ensure the safety of devotees going for the Amarnath Yatra.
He said Punjab Police has further intensified the level of security with deployment of 550 personnel of Punjab Police, SOG, sniper detachments, bomb disposal and other commando units, and a high alert has been activated, with an eight-second nakas defense line. established by Punjab Police.
He informed that the route has been divided into five sectors for effective management and four CAPF companies have been stationed along the route. Special security measures are being ensured at the langar sites, including installation of cameras, bullet-proof morchas and deployment of SOG, he added.
He asked the concerned officers to make appropriate arrangements for stationing and strategic use of forces in the five sectors.
He said that Traumatology Centers, Ambulance services, tow vehicles and hydras are already installed in each sector.
Emphasizing the crucial role of close coordination between officers, security agencies and civil administration, the Special DGP highlighted the need for meticulous planning and effective mechanisms to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra.
He said drone surveillance systems will keep vigil around anti-social elements and joint check posts manned by BSF and Pathankot police have also been set up. Regular cordon and search operations (CASO) and anti-tunnel operations are being carried out to prevent any threat, he added.
While he underlined the need for comprehensive disaster management arrangements to address any natural calamities that may arise, he emphasized the need to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to handle eventualities like fire incidents or flash floods.
Featured officers including DIG Border Range Rakesh Kaushal, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Shashank Anand, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Yuvraj Dubey, Deputy Commissioner Pathankot Aditya Uppal, SSP Pathankot Suhail Qasim Mir, SSP Kathua Anayat Ali and Wing Commander AIF Pathankot Narinder Singh and senior officers of central agencies were present at the meeting.
The annual yatra, which lasts for 45 days, is a major concern for the government amid the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The annual pilgrimage (Amarnath Yatra) is conducted by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
Devotees of Lord Shiva undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine located in the Kashmir Himalayas in the month of July-August.
The meeting, held in Pathankot, focused on strategic preparations for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, covering various aspects such as police deployment, security measures, traffic management and disaster management, Department of Information and Public Relations, said Punjab.
The examination also focused on recent incidents involving sightings of armed suspects in Kot Bhattian village, Bamial, and an encounter with an armed suspect in Kathua district.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of Punjab Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Himachal Pradesh Police, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force (BSF) and other central agencies.
Special DGP Arpit Shukla, while chairing the meeting, deliberated on how to secure the international border and ensure the safety of devotees going for the Amarnath Yatra.
He said Punjab Police has further intensified the level of security with deployment of 550 personnel of Punjab Police, SOG, sniper detachments, bomb disposal and other commando units, and a high alert has been activated, with an eight-second nakas defense line. established by Punjab Police.
He informed that the route has been divided into five sectors for effective management and four CAPF companies have been stationed along the route. Special security measures are being ensured at the langar sites, including installation of cameras, bullet-proof morchas and deployment of SOG, he added.
He asked the concerned officers to make appropriate arrangements for stationing and strategic use of forces in the five sectors.
He said that Traumatology Centers, Ambulance services, tow vehicles and hydras are already installed in each sector.
Emphasizing the crucial role of close coordination between officers, security agencies and civil administration, the Special DGP highlighted the need for meticulous planning and effective mechanisms to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra.
He said drone surveillance systems will keep vigil around anti-social elements and joint check posts manned by BSF and Pathankot police have also been set up. Regular cordon and search operations (CASO) and anti-tunnel operations are being carried out to prevent any threat, he added.
While he underlined the need for comprehensive disaster management arrangements to address any natural calamities that may arise, he emphasized the need to implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to handle eventualities like fire incidents or flash floods.
Featured officers including DIG Border Range Rakesh Kaushal, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Shashank Anand, DIG BSF Gurdaspur Yuvraj Dubey, Deputy Commissioner Pathankot Aditya Uppal, SSP Pathankot Suhail Qasim Mir, SSP Kathua Anayat Ali and Wing Commander AIF Pathankot Narinder Singh and senior officers of central agencies were present at the meeting.
The annual yatra, which lasts for 45 days, is a major concern for the government amid the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The annual pilgrimage (Amarnath Yatra) is conducted by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
Devotees of Lord Shiva undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine located in the Kashmir Himalayas in the month of July-August.
