The annual Amarnath Yatra, a month-long Hindu pilgrimage in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), began on Thursday near Pahalgam. This year’s pilgrimage occurs against the backdrop of heightened security following a deadly attack on April 22nd, where gunmen killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attack, an accusation Islamabad denied, leading to increased tensions between the two nations.
Last year, over half a million devotees journeyed to the high-altitude cave shrine nestled in the Himalayas to see the sacred ice formation of Lord Shiva.
Despite the recent violence, one pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh stated he felt no fear.
To ensure the safety of pilgrims, India has significantly increased security measures, deploying 45,000 troops and employing advanced surveillance technology along the pilgrimage route. According to the police chief of the Muslim-majority territory, these “multi-layered and in-depth security arrangements” aim to provide a safe and smooth experience for devotees.
The base camp at Pahalgam has been transformed into a fortress, heavily guarded by soldiers in armoured vehicles and behind sandbag positions. Facial recognition cameras and high-quality surveillance have been installed at strategic points. Pilgrims are required to register and travel in guarded convoys until they begin their trek. Camouflaged bunkers and makeshift kitchens providing free food line the route, and electronic radio cards track pilgrims’ locations.
The arduous journey to the cave, located at 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), can take several days, involving a 30-kilometre (18 miles) uphill walk from the last accessible point by vehicle.
One pilgrim, undertaking his first Amarnath Yatra, expressed confidence in the security arrangements, stating, “Such are the security arrangements here that no one can be hurt.”
While the Indian-appointed administrator for IIOJK claims “public confidence is returning,” he acknowledged a 10% decrease in pilgrim registration this year.
The Amarnath Yatra has grown significantly since an armed insurgency began in 1989, and India’s government has heavily promoted the event, which will last until August 9.
While freedom fighters against India’s control of IIOJK have stated the pilgrimage itself is not a target, they have warned against its use to assert Hindu dominance. In 2017, suspected freedom fighters attacked a pilgrim bus, resulting in 11 deaths.
The gunmen responsible for the April 22nd killings remain at large despite a large-scale manhunt. However, in June, India’s National Investigation Agency announced the arrest of two men from the Pahalgam area accused of providing support to the gunmen.
