Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday said all security measures have been put in place as the high-altitude Kailash and Machail yatras kicked off in J-K.
The yatras commenced on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda hills.
A Padmakumar, Commanding Officer (CO), CRPF 33 Battalion said, “The yatra passes through dense forests and tough terrain to reach the high-altitude destination of Kailash Kund and Machail, keeping that in mind, we have made all arrangements.
“Our deployment is in place, the routes are guarded by CRPF and local police, Army and SOG are also involved in advance sensitisation of high altitude meadows and ridges to provide foolproof security to the pilgrims and the shrines”.
He further stated that there are a number of medical camps around for health assistance and any natural disaster.
“So, I would like to assure that this year also both the yatras will pass off peacefully,” he added.
Every year thousands of pilgrims participate in ‘Kailash Yatra’. This pilgrimage is considered as one of the toughest as pilgrims have to trek 21 kilometres over steep hills to reach the holy ‘Kund’ (lake) which is situated at a height of 14,500 feet above sea level, where devotees take a dip in the ice-cold water.