Amarnath Yatra Routes Declared 'No Flying Zone' Amid Heightened Security Measures

The restrictions will not apply to emergency operations such as medical evacuations, disaster relief, or security surveillance.

The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3.

Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir government has declared all pilgrimage routes as 'No Flying Zones' from July 1 to August 10. The order, issued by the Home Department under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, prohibits the use of any aerial platforms like drones, UAVs, and balloons along the twin yatra routes: the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal axis.

The directive follows inputs from various security agencies and stakeholders, who reviewed the prevailing threat perception and recommended enhanced measures to ensure a safe pilgrimage. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also endorsed the move, advising that the entire stretch of the yatra be kept free from aerial traffic to prevent any potential threats from the skies.

Directive Follows Pahalgam Attack

However, the restrictions will not apply to emergency operations such as medical evacuations, disaster relief, or security surveillance. A separate standard operating procedure (SOP) is expected to outline the protocols for these exceptions.

The decision comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and underscored the need for reinforced security during mass gatherings. Authorities have since ramped up logistics and coordination for the smooth conduct of the yatra.

Scheduled to begin on July 3, the Shri Amarnathji Yatra draws thousands of devotees annually to the Himalayan shrine. With the ‘No Flying Zone’ order in place, security forces are focusing on aerial and ground-level vigilance to avert any disruption or threat during the holy pilgrimage.

The administration has urged the public and pilgrims to cooperate fully with the restrictions and support the efforts to ensure a peaceful and incident-free yatra season.