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Nestled between snowy mountains in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India lies the Amarnath Cave Temple. At an altitude of 12,756ft, the cave is covered with snow for the majority of the year. It is accessible for just a short time during the summer. As the Himalayan snow melts, a giant stalagmite is formed in the center of the 130ft tall cave. Hindus see this stalagmite as a physical representation of the god Shiva, and it marks the place where Shiva taught Parvati the secrets of life and eternity. As one of the holiest Hindu shrines, each summer upwards of 600,000 people complete the Amarnath Yatra (pilgrimage) throughout July and August.

The Yatra to reach the temple cave is a very treacherous passage. Pilgrims journey by foot on a 27 mile mountain hike through unpredictable weather. Between the base camp in Pahalgam and the cave, non-governmental sites are set up as food stands, first aid stations, and tents to rest in along the 5 day pilgrimage. Still, there have been many injuries and deaths attributed to people being unable to cope with the physical demands of the Yatra. Besides the natural rigors that pilgrims face, there is also the threat of terrorist attacks that have escalated over the years.

The Kashmir Region Conflict has been ongoing between India and Pakistan, with China as a third party, since 1947. The dispute is over who has a claim to the territory and has resulted in 3 wars. Though the wars have ended, unrest and protests have not. On August 2, 2000, 32 people were massacred at the onset of the Yatra by Kashmiri separatists. In 2001 another attack claimed the lives of 13 people followed by another 11 people killed in 2002. In 2017, another attack left 10 people dead. In 2019, the state government suspended the Amarnath Yatra fearing possible terrorist attacks. The pilgrimage was once again canceled in 2020 in response to COVID-19.

As vaccinations roll out and COVID-19 cases begin to decrease, the 2021 Amarnath Yatra is set to commence this summer. Each year thousands of police and armed guards are on hand to patrol the Yatra, and this year security will be higher than ever. In a press conference addressing new security measures, Kashmir Inspector General, Vijay Kumar said, “We are fully ready for the summer months. We have devised a plan and checkpoints will be increased, some camps will be shifted, and as we will get additional force after elections (in some states of the country), we will plug all the gaps. Pilgrims will not face any problems.” Some of these gaps will be filled with continuous monitoring provided by CCTV cameras and drones.

The pilgrimage is set to start on June 28, 2021. Before it begins CCTV cameras will be set up all around the path of the Yatra. Personnel will also determine where will be the best areas to patrol with drones. Kumar said that the CCTV cameras and drones will be used 24 hours a day. Though he did not say what type of drones will be used, it is safe to assume that the drones will be equipped with some high tech cameras and sensors. Drones with HD cameras are pretty much standard now. Drones also come with infrared cameras that can monitor and track suspicious activity during the night. Some drones even have the technology to identify weapons. But the best part of using drones to patrol the region will be that the drones can access places that are hard to reach.

Between the stationary cameras and the drones, Kumar says there will be no blind spots for terrorists to hide. He went on to say that they are well aware that terrorists are still in the region, but pilgrims should not worry. “We are fully alert, and there will be fool-proof security arrangements,” Kumar added. He understands that some may be uncomfortable with the presence of drones. For some people, it will be their first encounter with such technology. However, understanding that the drones will be there to protect people will weigh heavier than people mistrusting them. “I am sure the public will support us fully,” Kumar said as to the implementation of drones and other heightened security measures. The goal is to create a safe environment for people committed to the Amarnath Yatra, and drones will hopefully be the key to maintaining that safety.

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