Security tightened in Ganderbal district,Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela and upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Officials said Sunday the measures aim to protect pilgrims and locals during these events.
Police began area domination exercises around Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla. These exercises, meant to secure the area for attendees,come before the annual Mela set for Monday, June 22, 2026. A police spokesperson said the move is key to keeping order during festivities.
Authorities also ramped up highway checks along Ganderbal-Baltal route,a main path for the Amarnath Yatra starting July 3. Security personnel are inspecting vehicles and keeping a close watch at critical points along the Yatra route to ensure safety .
Advance Security Tasking (AST) exercises happening at strategic spots to bolster security plans. These aim to improve coordination among security agencies and ensure quick responses to any incidents during pilgrimage.
On June 21, Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Kashmir Zone, V.K. Birdi,with Deputy Inspector General of Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Omprakash Pande and Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhama, visited Kheer Bhawani Temple to review security. They focused on access control,crowd management, and parking around the temple .
During the visit, Birdi stressed the need for high vigilance and coordination among all agencies involved. He told officers to ensure effective traffic management and timely services at temple and nearby areas. The IGP urged close collaboration with other departments for a smooth and peaceful Mela .
