Amid Restrictions, Annual Amarnath Yatra Begins in Jammu Today

The annual Amarnath Yatra began early Wednesday morning from Jammu under an intense security setup, once again drawing attention to the highly restricted environment surrounding religious events in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The first batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 4:00 am via the Baltal route, followed shortly by another convoy for the Pahalgam path. This age-old pilgrimage will continue along the 270-kilometre-long Srinagar-Jammu highway, a route that now resembles a fortress more than a spiritual corridor.

Indian troops, including the Army, CRPF, and police, have taken over control of the region under the pretext of security arrangements. Military checkpoints, patrolling squads, and surveillance units are deployed across every sensitive spot, including tunnels, bridges, and even railway tracks. Elevated vantage points in the mountains are now manned by soldiers overseeing the Yatra convoys below.

The stretch through Ramban district has drawn special attention. Pilgrims on this mountainous leg of the highway are permitted brief rest stops at Chanderkote and Lambar Ground for refreshments. Even these pauses happen under heavy surveillance, reflecting the deep militarization of civilian spaces.

In Jammu city, police have installed numerous checkpoints, running round-the-clock anti-sabotage drills. According to officials, joint forces have been mobilized across highways, city outskirts, and the key approach roads leading to the Bhagwati Nagar base camp. These include personnel from the ITBP, CISF, CRPF, and local police, all conducting rigorous checking and verification operations.

While Indian authorities claim the security is to safeguard the pilgrims, critics argue it reflects the broader pattern of military overreach and suppression in the occupied territory. The overwhelming security presence has sparked concerns about freedom of movement and civilian life being disrupted under the guise of religious facilitation.

As the Yatra progresses, the world watches yet another heavily militarized religious event unfold in Kashmir—a region where restrictions, surveillance, and troop deployment have become routine rather than exceptional.