J&K declares no-fly zone for Amarnath

Srinagar

In a major step to tighten security during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir government has declared the entire pilgrimage route a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 to August 10. The decision, issued by the J&K Home Department under directions from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, prohibits the use of all aviation platforms including drones, UAVs, balloons, and other airborne devices along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

The restriction, however, excludes essential services such as medical evacuations, disaster management, and surveillance by security agencies. Authorities stated that a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be released for these exceptions.

The order noted that the decision followed high-level security discussions and inputs from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which recommended a complete ban on aerial activity over the yatra routes to ensure the safety of devotees. “All stakeholders have reviewed the current security scenario in the Union Territory and proposed increased logistical support,” the order stated.

This enhanced security protocol comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. With the yatra set to begin on July 3, lakhs of pilgrims from across India are expected to participate in the annual spiritual journey to the Amarnath shrine. Officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe and peaceful yatra and urged the public to cooperate with security measures. The Lieutenant Governor also recently performed the ‘Pratham Puja’ at the shrine, inviting devotees to join the yatra in large numbers.