Northern Command Chief Evaluates Security Measures for Operation Shiva Ahead of Amarnath Yatra
Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, conducted a security assessment of the Chinar Corps in North Kashmir on Monday. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the progress of Operation Shiva, a major security initiative designed to protect the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
The annual pilgrimage, which started on July 3 and is set to conclude on August 9, attracts thousands of devotees who journey through challenging mountainous paths to reach the sacred Amarnath cave. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, under the supervision of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, is responsible for its security.
During the visit, Lt Gen Sharma reviewed the operational readiness of more than 8,500 troops stationed along the routes from Pahalgam and Baltal. He commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience in managing security in difficult terrains and stressed the importance of maintaining constant vigilance due to recent intelligence reports of potential infiltration and attacks by Pakistan-backed terrorist groups.
Operation Shiva involves a coordinated effort among multiple agencies, including the Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces, civil administration, and disaster response teams. The security measures feature enhanced surveillance with UAVs, counter-terror patrols, and strategically placed snipers. Engineering units are actively involved in track repairs, building temporary bridges, and addressing landslide-prone areas to facilitate the pilgrims' journey.
To address medical emergencies, over 150 medical personnel have been deployed along the route. Facilities include two advanced dressing stations, nine medical aid posts, a 100-bed field hospital, and 26 oxygen booths with a total capacity of 200,000 liters of oxygen to assist pilgrims with high-altitude conditions.
Lt Gen Sharma, who took command of the Northern Command in April 2025, has over 37 years of experience. He was commissioned into the Madras Regiment in 1987 and has held significant roles such as Director General Military Operations and Corps Commander of II Corps, also serving in United Nations missions in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).
His visit takes place amid ongoing security challenges in the Valley, where militancy and unrest have previously affected the pilgrimage. The 2016 unrest following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and targeted attacks on pilgrims in past years highlight the region's volatile environment. However, reports like the one from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) have shown the success of joint operations such as ‘Operation All Out’, which resulted in a 70% reduction in militancy-related incidents between 2017 and 2020.
Operation Shiva continues these efforts, aiming to ensure the safety and sanctity of the Amarnath Yatra, while bolstering public confidence and regional stability.
