Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter: This year, devotees will not be able to travel to Baba Barfani by helicopter during the Amarnath Yatra.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has stepped up security and declared the entire Yatra route a ‘no flying zone’.
The Yatra is usually taken via two main routes — the traditional Pahalgam route and the Baltal route.
From July 1 to August 10, both these routes will be under flight restrictions, meaning no helicopters will operate for the Yatra during this time.
Security Arrangements Finalised
All preparations, including multi-layered security, have been completed in Samba district for the upcoming pilgrimage.
Officials confirmed this after a high-level meeting led by Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma to ensure a safe and smooth journey for all pilgrims.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Virender Singh Manhas also participated in the planning.
The 38-day Amarnath Yatra will begin on July 3 and will proceed through both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
The holy Amarnath cave is located at a height of 3,880 metres in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
The first group of pilgrims will leave from the Bhagwati Nagar camp on July 2 and reach the base camps at Nuwan (Pahalgam) and Baltal (Sonamarg) the same evening.
Focus on Pilgrims’ Safety and New Guidelines
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has put the convenience and safety of pilgrims at the top of their agenda.
A new notification from the Home Department, issued under the orders of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, bans all kinds of flying objects — including drones, balloons, and UAVs — along the Yatra route from July 1 to August 10.
This restriction, however, will not apply to emergency services such as medical evacuations, disaster management efforts, or surveillance flights by security agencies.
The order states that this step has been taken to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the Yatra starting from July 3.
The Union Home Ministry has also recommended that the entire Yatra route be declared a ‘no flying zone’.
Therefore, both the Pahalgam and Baltal paths have been officially restricted from any kind of air activity during the Yatra period.
Tightened Security After Terror Attacks
Security has been intensified especially after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people lost their lives.
Every year, thousands of devotees from across India take part in the Amarnath Yatra.
Unfortunately, the Yatra has been targeted in the past as well. One of the deadliest attacks occurred in July 2017, when eight pilgrims were killed.
