Unprecedented security measures including electronic surveillance along the entire yatra route and access control arrangements have been made for the annual Amarnath yatra scheduled to begin on Saturday.

A senior police official said security measures have been beefed up for this year’s Amarnath yatra given the recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, including the one where a bus was carrying pilgrims to Shiv Khori Shrine.

“We are not taking any chances as terrorists have shown their desperation in recent times to stay in the limelight by targetting innocent pilgrims,” he said.

Thousands of security personnel from the police, CRPF, ITBP and other para-military forces have been deployed to ensure foolproof security for the annual pilgrimage.

Besides adequate deployment of security forces at the Yatra Camps, the authorities have decided to carry out aerial surveillance of the Yatra area and deploy spotters to keep a vigil on unwanted activities and suspicious elements.

As part of the security measures, the national highway from Qazigund to Pahalgam and Baltal base camps have been brought under CCTV surveillance, the officials said.

“Movement of all yatra-related vehicles will be monitored round the clock,” they added.

Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain told reporters that a detailed security plan has been implemented, covering camp security, route security, and convoy security.

"We have also ensured lodgment and langar security, along with access control and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) to ensure a peaceful and safe yatra. We have not only addressed security contingencies but have also considered non-security contingencies," he said.

The police chief said that a cut-off timing has been established to ensure effective traffic management. "We urge everyone to adhere to the cut-off timings. Yatris and common people may face some inconvenience, but when it comes to security, life, and property, we can endure the suffering but cannot afford the loss of life," he stated.

Meanwhile, a three-tier security system has been put in place in and around the Amarnath base camp in Jammu, under the charge of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s security wing.

Forces have carried out search and sanitization operations to ensure a safe commencement of the annual yatra from Jammu.

“Adequate security arrangements have been made for the yatra. Three-tier security measures have been put in place for the base camp in the Bhagwati Nagar area of Jammu,” said an official.

He said that lodgement and registration centers in Jammu City are also under strict security, adding that the road stretch leading to the cave shrine has been upgraded by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to ensure hassle-free movement of pilgrims.

Amarnath yatra over the years has remained by and large peaceful, barring four militant strikes one each in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2017 that left 45 pilgrims dead and dozens of others injured.