Amarnath yatra: All vehicles to carry RF tag, special motorcycle squad formed by CRPF to provide security

The CRPF has formed a special motorcycle squad as part of its efforts to ensure foolproof security during the annual Amarnath yatra, scheduled to start in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, an official spokesman said on Monday. 

He said some of these specially designed motorcycles were fixed with various life-saving equipment and could also double as "small ambulances", carrying one person at a time besides the rider. "Keeping in view the convenience and security of pilgrims, the CRPF has prepared a special motorcycle squad, which on one hand, will ensure the security of pilgrims on the yatra route and on the other, will also be used as small ambulances for them," the CRPF spokesperson added.

#Jammu: CRPF has formed a special motorcycle squad as part of its security arrangements for the upcoming #AmarnathYatra. These motorcycles are well-equipped to be used as mini ambulances as well. pic.twitter.com/MJBogyznVn

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2018

Inspector General of the CRPF (Jammu sector) Abhay Vir Chauhan chaired a meeting of senior officers at sector headquarters here today to review security arrangements for the yatra, he said. Various aspects of security were discussed at the meeting with special emphasis on arrangements at the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp and the yatra route, he added. The spokesperson said Chauhan emphasized upon the necessity of optimum utilisation of Radio Frequency Identification on yatra vehicles and also directed officials to fulfil responsibilities entrusted upon them with utmost sincerity so as to ensure smooth conduct of the 60-day pilgrimage.

Amid heightened threat from terrorists, the government has decided to monitor each vehicle carrying Amarnath pilgrims with radio frequency (RF) tag and it will set up a joint control room for close coordination among different security agencies besides the Army, officials said today.The government has also decided to extend the validity of temporary pre-paid mobile connections taken by pilgrims during the Amarnath pilgrimage, beginning June 28, from seven days to 10 days.

All vehicles carrying the Amarnath pilgrims will have one RF tag for its close monitoring for better security, an official said. RF tag uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track object attached to it. An RF tag attached to an automobile can be used to track its progress.

A joint control room will be set up for better coordination between Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and the Army to ensure security during the two-month-long pilgrimage to the cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said. Additional 22,500 paramilitary personnel are expected to be deployed along the entire route of the Amarnath pilgrimage, for which multi-tier security arrangements will be put in place. A total of around 40,000 personnel, comprising J-K Police, paramilitary, National Disaster Response Force and the Army, are likely to be deployed during this year's pilgrimage.

Tracking of pilgrims' movement through satellites, installation of jammers, CCTV cameras and bulletproof bunkers, deployment of dog squads and quick reaction teams will be part of the security drill along pilgrimage routes, another official said. Doppler radar, which will provide weather update every two hours, will be deployed for the benefits of pilgrims besides deployment of the quick reaction teams of the NDRF.

According to the estimates of various security agencies, there are about 200 active terrorists in the Kashmir valley and recent trends show that terrorists are getting more brazen in their attacks. So far, 1.5 lakh people have registered for undertaking the arduous pilgrimage.

A total of 2.60 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine last year. The Amarnath shrine is situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley in south Kashmir.