Srinagar, Jun 28: With preparations gathering pace for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s elite Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) conducted an intensive high-altitude training exercise at Mahagunas Top, while coordinated mock drills were carried out in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts to assess emergency preparedness and security response.
The specialised training at Mahagunas Top focused on mountain rescue operations, casualty evacuation and emergency response in extreme high-altitude conditions, reinforcing the preparedness of security forces for the 57-day pilgrimage, which is expected to attract more than 3.5 lakh devotees.
The exercises simulated real-life emergencies that pilgrims and security personnel could encounter along the rugged mountain routes leading to the holy cave shrine. MRT personnel practised technical rope rescues, stretcher evacuations across difficult terrain and rapid medical intervention at high altitude to enhance operational readiness.
A senior police officer said the specialised training is aimed at ensuring a safe and seamless pilgrimage.
“The Mountain Rescue Team’s high-altitude training at Mahagunas Top is crucial for the successful conduct of the Yatra. Our mountaineering specialists are fully equipped to respond to any contingency in the challenging Himalayan terrain and will work in close coordination with other security and emergency agencies,” the officer said.
As part of the overall security preparedness, Jammu and Kashmir Police also conducted coordinated mock drills in Anantnag and Ganderbal to evaluate response mechanisms under different emergency scenarios.
In Anantnag district, security personnel simulated a grenade attack at GrendAishmuqam and a sniper attack at Langabal, Pahalgam. The exercise involved immediate area sanitisation, evacuation of civilians, casualty management, traffic regulation, cordon-and-search operations and coordinated response by multiple agencies.
Personnel from the Police, CRPF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, Health Department and other allied agencies participated in the exercise.
In Ganderbal district, similar mock drills were organised at Model Naka Chinner, Kijpora and Margund, focusing on inter-agency coordination, evacuation procedures and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during emergency situations.
Police said the drills were aimed at strengthening coordination among various departments and testing the effectiveness of emergency response plans ahead of the Yatra.
Reiterating its commitment to ensuring a safe, secure and peaceful pilgrimage, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said the specialised mountain rescue training and multi-agency mock exercises form part of a comprehensive security strategy to mitigate risks and facilitate the smooth conduct of one of the country’s largest annual religious pilgrimages.
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