The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared all routes leading to the Amarnath cave shrine a “no-flying zone” from July 1 to August 10, 2025, prohibiting the use of drones, balloons and other aviation platforms.

The directive, issued by the Union Territory’s Home Department, follows a security advisory from the Union Home Ministry and is aimed at bolstering the security arrangements for this year’s Amarnath Yatra.

The annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 8, is considered one of the most sensitive religious events in the region from a security standpoint. The decision to impose airspace restrictions comes in the wake of heightened terror threat inputs flagged by intelligence agencies, especially after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow.

Sources within the security grid described the move as a precautionary measure in response to the prevailing threat environment. The recent escalation in tensions, including a four-day armed conflict between India and Pakistan in May, has further reinforced the need for tight security this year.

In preparation, security forces have launched ‘Operation Shiva’ to ensure the safety of pilgrims along both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes. Nearly 50,000 paramilitary personnel, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, will conduct daily road opening operations to detect and defuse explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the pilgrimage routes.

For the first time, jammers will be deployed to protect the yatra convoy during its movement. Security forces have already taken over the designated yatra paths, and additional deployments are in place across the Union Territory.

Officials say the layered security strategy, along with technological measures like jammers and UAV restrictions, is expected to enhance the overall safety of the thousands of pilgrims who undertake the journey to the Himalayan shrine every year.