JAMMU, October 5, 2026 – Security agencies across Jammu and Kashmir have been placed on high alert ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, with a massive deployment of forces and intensified surveillance measures implemented across key religious sites and connecting routes. The heightened security protocol follows a major anti-terror operation that resulted in the killing of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Hashim Moosa.
With the nine-day Navratri festival commencing on October 11, special attention is being given to Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district. Recognizing the massive influx of devotees expected from across the country, authorities have undertaken an extensive overhaul of the security apparatus. Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mukund Tibrewal recently conducted a comprehensive security and traffic review of Katra town, the track leading to the Bhawan, parking areas, and all key entry and exit locations.
To ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage, multiple new checkpoints have been established, and additional police personnel have been deployed throughout the town. The security strategy also includes enhanced CCTV surveillance and a meticulously drafted crowd management plan. Furthermore, SSP Tibrewal emphasized the need for strict traffic regulation, directing officials to minimize roadside parking during the festival to ensure the convenient movement of pilgrims.
The heightened alert extends beyond Reasi, with increased patrolling and extra checkpoints established along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and various sensitive locations across the Kashmir Valley. Security forces are closely monitoring the movement of people and vehicles to thwart any untoward incidents, ensuring that the festive period remains peaceful and secure for all residents and visiting pilgrims.
Published by True Roots Media Network