Srinagar, July 2 (KNS): As thousands of devotees prepare to embark on the spiritual journey to the Amarnath cave shrine, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has taken major steps to ensure their safety and comfort, particularly on the steeper Baltal route.

Flagged off earlier in the day by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from Jammu, the Amarnath Yatra 2025 will officially begin from July 3 via two routes, the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam trek in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and the shorter 14-km Baltal path in Ganderbal district.

This year, a unique and thoughtful initiative by the CRPF has drawn attention: specially assigned women personnel teams wearing bright orange jackets labelled “May I Help You” will be stationed along the Baltal route. These teams will focus on guiding and assisting female pilgrims from the base camp up to the key entry point at Domail and other designated checkpoints.

“These dedicated women teams are positioned at critical points to ensure female pilgrims feel safe, supported, and guided throughout their journey,” officials said, emphasizing that this step adds both a humane and inclusive dimension to the yatra’s security ecosystem.

The CRPF has committed the highest number of personnel among all central forces for the yatra. Of the 581 total Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) companies deployed, 219 are from the CRPF alone.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelOther participating forces include the Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The yatra comes just months after the tragic April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 individuals lost their lives. In response, security agencies have implemented multiple layers of protection, with enhanced focus on real-time surveillance, route management, and emergency preparedness.

To strengthen this safety net further, the CRPF has deployed a 30-member Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) on both yatra tracks. These highly trained personnel are equipped to handle emergency situations, ranging from altitude sickness and accidents to natural disasters and any potential security threats.

“These teams have been carefully positioned to react swiftly in case of any health emergencies or environmental hazards along the mountainous route,” an officer said.

So far, more than 3.31 lakh pilgrims have registered for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, reflecting both the deep spiritual pull of the cave shrine and public confidence in the security arrangements.

The 38-day yatra will culminate on August 9, coinciding with the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan.(KNS)