“The Amarnath Yatra will continue 9th August 9 and I hope that this number will increase. There was a time when after the Pahalgam attack, it seemed that hardly anyone would come for the Amarnath Yatra. But we have touched 2.5 lakh [on July 16], and if it stays like this, then we should easily cross 3 lakh to 3.5 lakh,” the Chief Minister said.
His remarks come amid tight security arrangements and proactive safety drills being conducted by security agencies to ensure safety of pilgrims. A fresh batch of 6,064 pilgrims departed on Wednesday for the holy cave shrine, located in the south Kashmir Himalayas, bringing the total number of pilgrims so far to over 2.35 lakh, according to official figures.
#WATCH | On Amarnath Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah says, “The Amarnath Yatra will continue till 9th August and I hope that this number will increase. There was a time when after the Pahalgam attack, it seemed that hardly anyone would come for the Amarnath Yatra. But… pic.twitter.com/rknQNYxK6F
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2025
Of the latest batch, 3,593 pilgrims travelling in 139 vehicles have opted for the Nunwan–Pahalgam route, while 2,471 pilgrims in 95 vehicles are taking the Baltal route, officials said. The pilgrimage began on July 3 and is set to culminate on August 9, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan festival.
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Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted mock drills along key yatra routes across multiple districts, including Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama, and Kulgam. The drills were designed to test responses to scenarios such as standoff attacks, IED threats, natural disasters, and crowd management.
A police spokesperson said the drills were carried out “without causing inconvenience to the yatris or the general public,” and appreciated the cooperation extended by citizens and pilgrims alike, PTI reported.
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“Special focus was laid on critical areas prone to congestion or high footfall to test the efficiency of response teams and quick reaction units,” the spokesperson said. Senior officers oversaw the simulations, ensuring standard operating procedures (SOPs) were both implemented and refined.
As the yatra progresses, officials remain optimistic about achieving a record-breaking turnout, with clear weather, increased security, and administrative support contributing to the rising numbers.
