Srinagar, June 3: In one of the most significant security measures taken for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in recent years, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has suspended helicopter services for pilgrims and declared the entire pilgrimage corridor a “No-Fly Zone” during the Yatra period.
According to Government Order No. 321-HOME of 2026 issued on June 1, all routes associated with the pilgrimage, including the traditional Pahalgam route in South Kashmir and the Baltal route in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, will remain under No-Fly Zone restrictions from July 1 until the completion of the Yatra.
The decision comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns and follows a series of high-level review meetings chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with senior officials from the police, civil administration, intelligence agencies, Army, CAPFs and disaster management authorities.
Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening aerial security, preventing unauthorized flying activities and ensuring comprehensive surveillance along the pilgrimage routes. Security agencies have been directed to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of the Yatra axis, which passes through difficult mountainous terrain and sensitive areas.
As a result of the order, helicopter services that were previously available for pilgrims travelling from Baltal and Pahalgam sectors to the Holy Cave Shrine will not operate during this year’s pilgrimage. The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has advised devotees to undertake the journey on foot or use traditional services such as ponies and palkis.
Sources said security arrangements for the 2026 Yatra are being significantly enhanced with the deployment of additional personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces and the Army. Multi-layered security grids, advanced surveillance systems, CCTV monitoring, anti-drone technology, Quick Response Teams, bomb disposal squads and emergency medical units are expected to be deployed across the pilgrimage routes.
Authorities are also focusing on disaster preparedness, communication infrastructure, traffic management and medical facilities to ensure a safe pilgrimage experience for devotees. Sensitive locations along both routes are being mapped for special monitoring, while security audits of camps, transit facilities and vulnerable stretches are underway.
The annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji is scheduled to commence on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims from across India participate in the Yatra, making it one of the country’s largest religious pilgrimages.
Officials have urged pilgrims to strictly follow advisories issued by the administration and the Shrine Board, complete registration procedures in advance and cooperate with security agencies during the pilgrimage.
The decision to suspend helicopter services underscores the administration’s emphasis on security and reflects the extensive preparations underway to ensure the peaceful and successful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.
