With the annual Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed specialized Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) along the pilgrimage routes.
Around 30 personnel equipped with state-of-the-art rescue and safety gear have been stationed to respond to any emergencies during the yatra.
Officials said the MRTs have been specially trained and outfitted to operate in high-altitude, rugged terrain, ensuring quick response in case of natural calamities, medical emergencies, or accidents along the steep and often treacherous yatra tracks.
In addition to the CRPF, other key agencies including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Border Security Force (BSF) have also deployed MRTs along both pilgrimage routes to ensure the safety and swift response during the Amarnath Yatra.
While the CRPF plays a vital role in securing the Amarnath yatra, its responsibilities also extend to disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
A senior CRPF official said the MRT deployment is part of a comprehensive safety and coordination plan for Amarnath Yatra 2025, which attracts thousands of devotees each year. The enhanced focus on mountain rescue capabilities is aimed at ensuring a safe and smooth pilgrimage, especially in light of unpredictable weather and difficult terrain.
Mountain rescue involvement during the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage has a significant importance as it provided assistance and facilitated more than 13000 pilgrims last year, he
added.
Building on the positive contribution of CRPF’s MRTs during last year’s Amarnath Yatra, special emphasis has been laid on selecting trained personnel, including those with specialized training
from other forces.
To further enhance preparedness, refresher capsule courses and regular mock drills are being conducted to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims along the Baltal axis, which falls under
the jurisdiction of Srinagar Sector CRPF.
Sudhir Kumar, Deputy Inspector General Joint Nodal officer of CRPF also confirmed that expertise
of MRT team will help the pilgrims to make Yatra smooth during revered religious journey.
“The MRTs will work as a joint effort with other forces under the umbrella of SDRF. The purpose is
to aid pilgrims facing difficulties and to conduct rescue operations in case of unforeseen events like flash floods or avalanches,” he said.
The CRPF contributes to mountain rescue efforts as part of its wider disaster management responsibilities and through the training and deployment of its personnel in mountainous areas, especially during events like the Amarnath Yatra.
The yatris access the cave shrine located at an altitude of 3,888 meters in Kashmir, via either the shorter Baltal route in Ganderbal district or the traditional longer route from Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
