Srinagar, Jun 26 (KNO): Security forces have intensified surveillance and operational deployment along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, with multi-agency patrols, search operations and area domination exercises being carried out to prevent any security breach, officials said on Friday.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine is scheduled to commence on July 3 under a multi-layered security arrangement.
Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that security forces have been placed on high alert in vulnerable sectors, including Gurez, Keran, Tangdar and Uri in North Kashmir, besides the Poonch-Rajouri belt, Kathua and other areas along the International Border in the Jammu region.
They said troops have stepped up long-range patrols, surveillance and domination exercises in forward areas to monitor infiltration routes and maintain a strong security presence.
"Additional deployments have also been made at strategic locations along the pilgrimage routes," the officials added.
In the Jammu region, joint operations involving the police and central armed forces have been launched in border villages and other sensitive areas.
Security personnel have intensified vehicle checking, frisking, verification of suspicious persons and surveillance at crowded places, officials said.
Search operations have also been conducted at selected locations along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which serves as the main route for the annual pilgrimage, to sanitise vulnerable stretches and strengthen the security grid, they said.
Officials said the exercises are aimed at improving operational preparedness, strengthening coordination among different security agencies and gathering ground-level intelligence ahead of the pilgrimage.
Security personnel have also interacted with residents in border villages, urging them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement, they added.
The annual Amarnath Yatra, one of the country's largest religious pilgrimages, is conducted under an extensive security cover every year.
The officials further said all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of this year's pilgrimage. (KNO)