Indian Army Deploys 8,500 Troops, Drone Shield for 2025 Amarnath Yatra

The Indian Army has launched “Operation Shiva 2025,” a large-scale security and logistics effort aimed at protecting pilgrims on the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation deploys more than 8,500 troops along both the northern and southern routes to the Himalayan cave shrine, working in coordination with civil authorities and central armed police forces. Security measures include a network of over 50 counter-unmanned-aerial systems, continuous UAV reconnaissance, electronic-warfare assets and real-time convoy tracking through high-resolution cameras. Engineer task forces are widening tracks and reinforcing bridges while bomb-disposal squads and quick-reaction teams cover vulnerable stretches. To manage health and disaster contingencies, the Army has positioned about 150 doctors and medical staff, two advanced dressing stations, nine medical aid posts, a 100-bed field hospital and 26 oxygen booths stocked with 200,000 litres of oxygen. Helicopters, emergency rations for 25,000 people and standby heavy equipment round out the response package, which the Army says is calibrated to counter heightened militant threats and natural hazards during the 2025 pilgrimage season.