Sumbal: As part of extensive security and preparedness measures for the forthcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, a multi-agency mock drill was conducted at the Shadipora Transit Camp in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday to assess the readiness of security and emergency response agencies.
The exercise witnessed the participation of personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), 24 Rashtriya Rifles, Bomb Disposal Squad, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other allied agencies.
Officials said the mock drill was aimed at evaluating the preparedness, coordination and response capabilities of various stakeholders involved in ensuring the smooth and secure conduct of the 57-day pilgrimage, scheduled to commence on July 3.
During the exercise, multiple emergency scenarios were simulated to test the effectiveness of security arrangements and disaster response mechanisms. Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, was deployed for aerial monitoring, while dog squads carried out anti-sabotage checks and area sanitisation operations.
The drill also focused on strengthening inter-agency coordination, crowd management, emergency evacuation procedures and counter-terror response strategies to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage.
Officials said such exercises form a crucial part of the overall security and logistical preparations for the Amarnath Yatra and help agencies respond swiftly and effectively to any unforeseen situation during the course of the pilgrimage.