Shri Amarnath Yatra Security: MHA Approves Record 670 CAPF Companies for 57-Day Pilgrimage
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JAMMU MAY 29,2026 — The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir administration, has approved the deployment of 670 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure a foolproof security blanket for the upcoming 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, this massive deployment marks the largest-ever paramilitary presence for the annual pilgrimage. This decision underscores the Central Government’s absolute commitment to ensuring the safety of lakhs of devotees journeying to the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
The comprehensive security blueprint was finalized following extensive deliberations between the MHA and senior security officials from Jammu and Kashmir. The CAPF personnel will be strategically stationed across the entire pilgrimage route, starting right from Lakhanpur—the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir—all the way up to the Amarnath cave temple. Key locations slated for tight security include the dual pilgrimage tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam, the base camps at Baltal and Nunwan, Yatri Niwas in Jammu, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the Pathankot-Jammu Highway, and other critical transit areas frequently used by the pilgrims.
According to official sources, the additional paramilitary units will begin arriving in Jammu and Kashmir during the first week of June, with the entire deployment expected to be completed by June 25, roughly a week before the yatra officially starts. Alongside the paramilitary forces, the Indian Army will play a crucial role by securing strategic heights and ridges overlooking the pilgrimage routes and the holy cave shrine. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police will remain actively involved in maintaining law and order and coordinating overall security operations throughout the duration of the pilgrimage. Officials emphasized that this mega security arrangement has been planned in a manner that ensures ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Union Territory remain entirely unaffected.
Specialized security focus will be maintained on the high-risk Baltal and Chandanwari routes, the cave shrine, and key transit hubs. Enhanced security measures will fortify Baltal, Nunwan, and Yatri Niwas Jammu, while Road Opening Parties (ROPs), area domination patrols, and regular surveillance will be intensified along the highways. Furthermore, authorities are scaling up security across the Jammu-Srinagar railway corridor, particularly keeping in mind the rising number of pilgrims traveling via Vande Bharat Express trains. Consequently, the railway stretch passing through Udhampur, Katra, Reasi, Banihal, and Qazigund will be kept under a strict security blanket throughout the yatra.
Reflecting the massive scale of this year’s pilgrimage, more than 3.5 lakh devotees have already registered for the Amarnath Yatra since the registration process opened on April 15. The registration numbers continue to climb steadily across designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Yes Bank nationwide. The annual pilgrimage will flag off simultaneously from both the Baltal-Sonamarg and Nunwan-Pahlagam routes on July 3, culminating on August 28 to coincide with the auspicious festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima.