The Jammu and Kashmir Police have mounted facial recognition systems (FRS) along the Pahalgam route of Amarnath Yatra to fend off against any terror attacks against the pilgrims. The system has a feature that alerts security forces in real time in case any blacklisted person comes into the frame of the surveillance cameras.
Images of active terrorists and suspected overground workers have been fed into this system to ensure foolproof security for the Amarnath Yatra. “As soon as any of the blacklisted persons walks into the frame, a hooter will go off at the surveillance centre manned by security forces so that steps to eliminate the threat can be initiated in real time,” said an official involved in the project.
The FRS identifies an individual by analysing facial features from digital photographs or videos and looking for a match in the database. Efforts are on to install similar systems on the shorter Baltal route before the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine starts on July 3. The annual pilgrimage will culminate on August 9 to coincide with Raksha Bandhan. The duration of the yatra has been reduced to 38 days this year against 52 days last year.
Undeterred by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, more than 3 lakh pilgrims have already registered for this yea’'s yatra. “The Amarnath Yatra has been a target for terrorists in the past as well. It has become necessary to make fool-proof security arrangements for the pilgrimage as lakhs of people visit the holy cave every year,” the official said.
In the past, the authorities have taken various steps to secure the annual yatra, including tagging all vehicles and pilgrims with radio frequency identification technology which helps in monitoring their movement. The entire route from Jammu to the holy cave has been brought under CCTV surveillance. Pilgrims to this yatra have been subject of several terrorist attacks in the past.
Successful yatra will signal peace in Kashmir: CM
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said a successful Amarnath Yatra will help send a message to the rest of the country that there is peace in Kashmir. “It is a good thing that Amarnath pilgrims will come. The maximum number should come so that a message goes out that there is peace here in Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters at Baba Nagri in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the damage that Kashmir suffered in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack can be mitigated by a peaceful Amarnath Yatra. Abdullah, who was at Baba Nagri to attend the annual urs, said he prayed for peace in the country. I also prayed a better future for our youth and an end to the atmosphere of hatred that we are going through," he said.
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