In a high-level security review, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, visited the Chinar Corps in North Kashmir on Monday to assess the progress of Operation Shiva, a large-scale security operation aimed at safeguarding the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
The annual pilgrimage, which began on July 3 and will conclude on August 9, sees thousands of devotees traverse treacherous mountainous terrain to reach the sacred Amarnath cave. The security of the yatra is overseen by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board under the guidance of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit, Lt Gen Sharma evaluated the operational readiness of over 8,500 troops deployed along the twin routes from Pahalgam and Baltal. He lauded the troops’ resilience and professionalism in managing security in difficult terrain, while emphasizing the need for round-the-clock vigilance in light of recent intelligence inputs warning of potential infiltration attempts and attacks by Pakistan-backed terrorist groups.
Operation Shiva is a multi-agency effort involving the Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces, civil administration, and disaster response teams. The security grid includes enhanced surveillance using UAVs, counter-terror patrols, and snipers positioned at key vantage points. Engineering units are actively repairing and widening the tracks, constructing temporary bridges, and mitigating landslide-prone areas to ensure a smooth passage for pilgrims.
To support medical emergencies, over 150 medical personnel have been deployed across the route. Facilities include two advanced dressing stations, nine medical aid posts, a 100-bed field hospital, and 26 oxygen booths with a cumulative capacity of two lakh liters of oxygen to help pilgrims cope with high-altitude conditions.
Lt Gen Sharma, who assumed command of the Northern Command in April 2025, brings over 37 years of experience to the role. Commissioned into the Madras Regiment in 1987, he has held key appointments such as Director General Military Operations and Corps Commander of II Corps, and served in United Nations missions in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).
His visit comes amid persistent security challenges in the Valley, where militancy and unrest have previously disrupted the pilgrimage. The 2016 agitation following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and targeted attacks on pilgrims in past years underscore the region’s volatile environment. However, studies such as the report by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) have highlighted the effectiveness of joint operations like ‘Operation All Out’, which led to a 70% drop in militancy-related incidents between 2017 and 2020.
Operation Shiva is a continuation of these efforts, ensuring the safety and sanctity of the Amarnath Yatra, while reinforcing public confidence and regional stability.
