Heightened Security Measures for Amarnath Yatra 2025: J&K Government Declares No-Fly Zone Over Pilgrimage Routes in Wake of Pahalgam Attack

In a decisive step aimed at bolstering security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has declared all routes leading to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine as “No-Fly Zones” for the entire duration of the 2025 Amarnath Yatra.

This directive, issued by the J&K Home Department, comes in the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, where 25 tourists and one local civilian tragically lost their lives.

The decision, taken after comprehensive consultations with security agencies and based on recommendations from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, underscores the gravity of the current security situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The no-fly order will be in force from July 1 to August 10, 2025, effectively covering the entirety of the annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 8.

According to the official order, all forms of aerial devices are banned along the pilgrimage routes, including drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hot air balloons, and any other aviation platforms.

This restriction is being imposed over both the traditional access points to the shrine — the Pahalgam route (via Anantnag) and the Baltal route (via Sonamarg).

These two axes remain the most frequented by the lakhs of pilgrims who undertake the challenging Himalayan journey each year.

The order specifically highlights the prevailing threat landscape in the region. It notes that recent security assessments and intelligence inputs have flagged potential risks to the pilgrimage, particularly in light of the Pahalgam terror attack, which exposed critical vulnerabilities in the area.

Officials believe that the declaration of a no-fly zone will help mitigate risks related to surveillance, sabotage, or possible aerial threats that could compromise the safety of pilgrims, security personnel, and support staff.

The routes impacted by the order include the full stretch from Lakhanpur (the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir) to Jammu city, further extending through Qazigund towards Pahalgam on one axis, and towards Srinagar and Sonamarg on the other.

These corridors are not only vital for the movement of yatris but also serve as lifelines for logistical operations during the pilgrimage. Restricting aerial movement over these routes is intended to prevent unauthorized filming, drone-based attacks, or any other airborne intrusions that could endanger the event.

While the order imposes a blanket ban on aerial activity, it also makes room for certain critical exceptions. It states that the no-fly restrictions will not apply to emergency operations, such as medical evacuations, disaster relief efforts, and aerial surveillance conducted by authorized security agencies.

To facilitate such operations, the government will issue a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining conditions, permissions, and protocols that must be followed during exceptions.

A senior government official, on condition of anonymity, emphasized that this is one of the most extensive pre-emptive security frameworks ever laid out for the Amarnath Yatra. “We are dealing with an evolving threat scenario.

After what happened in Pahalgam earlier this year, we cannot take any chances. The safety of every single pilgrim is our top priority,” the official stated.

The Amarnath Yatra, a deeply revered spiritual journey for millions of Hindu devotees, involves a steep trek through high-altitude terrain to the naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam in the Amarnath cave.

Over the years, it has also become a symbol of communal harmony and spiritual resilience, drawing not only pilgrims but also volunteers, medical staff, and local service providers.

Given the strategic and emotional significance of the yatra, the government typically implements a multi-tiered security apparatus that includes deployment of paramilitary forces, drone surveillance, RFID tracking of pilgrims, medical facilities, and close coordination among central and state agencies.

This year, however, the scope of precautions is notably more expansive due to the heightened threat perception following the April incident.

Security officials have indicated that anti-drone systems will be deployed along sensitive stretches of the route, particularly around rest camps, base camps at Baltal and Chandanwari, and at the shrine itself. Surveillance towers, high-resolution cameras, and night-vision systems are also being installed to detect any suspicious activity in real time.

In addition to security preparations, the civil administration is gearing up to ensure smooth conduct of the yatra by strengthening infrastructure, improving connectivity, and providing adequate supplies of food, water, and medical aid along the route. Special arrangements are also being made to accommodate the elderly and differently-abled pilgrims.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has urged all stakeholders — including pilgrims, local communities, tour operators, and volunteers — to cooperate fully with the enhanced security protocols and respect the airspace restrictions for the greater safety of all involved.

In the coming days, authorities are expected to release further guidelines, including details about movement restrictions, convoy timings, identity verification, and procedures for emergency evacuation.

These measures, while strict, reflect the administration’s firm resolve to ensure that the 2025 Amarnath Yatra proceeds peacefully and without incident, reaffirming faith in the region’s resilience and its capacity to host one of India’s most sacred pilgrimages.