Srinagar, June 19: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have barred helicopter services for pilgrims participating in the annual Amarnath Yatra this year, citing security concerns and logistical protocols ahead of the high-altitude pilgrimage scheduled to begin next month.
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) announced on Wednesday that, following a directive from the office of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, pilgrims will be required to undertake the journey to the sacred Himalayan cave shrine either on foot or by using ponies and palanquins along the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
The move comes after a high-level security meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and top officers from the military and central armed police forces.
Following the review, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department issued an order designating all Yatra routes as “No Flying Zones” from July 1 to August 10, 2025. The restriction includes all aviation platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and balloons.
“All the routes of Shri Amarnathji Yatra are hereby declared as ‘No Flying Zone’ including both Pahalgam axis and Baltal axis,” the order stated. The restrictions are aimed at ensuring a secure environment for the Yatra, which will be held from July 3 to August 9.
Exceptions to the aerial ban will be made only for medical evacuations, disaster response, and surveillance operations by security forces. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for such exceptions will be issued in due course, officials said.
Lieutenant Governor Sinha urged locals to cooperate with the administration, describing the annual pilgrimage as a shared spiritual and cultural event. “The Amarnath Yatra is the people’s Yatra,” he said in a statement, adding that all necessary security arrangements are being implemented for its smooth conduct.
The Amarnath Yatra, which attracts tens of thousands of devotees annually, involves a challenging trek through rugged Himalayan terrain to reach the cave shrine, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
