No Helicopter Services for Amarnath Yatra 2025 as J&K Declares All Routes ‘No Fly Zones’
GG News Bureau
Srinagar, 18th June: In a significant move aimed at strengthening security for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced a complete ban on helicopter services for pilgrims this year. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), following directions from the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, confirmed on Wednesday that pilgrims must undertake the journey to the holy cave shrine via foot, ponies, or palanquins (palkis) from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
The decision follows a high-level security review chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by senior security officials including the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, GOC 15 Corps Lt. Gen. Prashant Srivastava, and top officers of CAPFs and intelligence agencies.
In line with recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the J&K Home Department has issued a formal order declaring all Yatra routes as ‘No Flying Zones’ from July 1 to August 10, 2025, covering the entire yatra duration from July 3 to August 9.
The directive bans the use of all aerial platforms including helicopters, UAVs, drones, and balloons. Exceptions will only be made for medical emergencies, disaster response, and surveillance by security forces, with a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such cases to be issued separately.
The order cited heightened security concerns and the need for strict aerial activity regulation to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage. “All stakeholders have discussed the prevailing security scenario… and have proposed additional logistics provisions,” the order noted.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to extend full cooperation for the successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage, calling the Amarnath Yatra a “people’s yatra.”
Authorities have assured that comprehensive security arrangements are already in place along the twin routes, and necessary logistical support is being deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims amid the restrictions.
