Amarnath Yatra 2025: Pilgrimage routes declared ‘no-fly zone’ to enhance security after Pahalgam attack; drones, balloons banned

NEW DELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared the Amarnath Yatra routes as 'No Flying Zone' on Tuesday, prohibiting all aviation platforms including drones and balloons from July 1 to August 10, 2025, as part of enhanced security measures for the annual pilgrimage.

The decision comes following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 deaths.

The declaration issued by Jammu and Kashmir Home Department on the orders of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said flying of any kind of aviation platforms and devices, including UAVs, drones, balloons, is prohibited from July 1 to August 10.

The flying restrictions will not apply to medical evacuation, disaster management, and security forces surveillance operations. The government will issue a detailed SOP for these exceptions later.

"All stakeholders have discussed the prevailing security scenario in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and have proposed additional logistics provisions," the order stated.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs recommended declaring the entire route as a 'No Flying Zone' during the pilgrimage period.

"Therefore, with a view to ensure strengthened security during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025, all the routes of Shri Amarnathji Yatra are hereby declared as 'No Flying Zone', including both Pahalgam axis & Baltal axis," the order specified.

The Amarnath yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3, attracts thousands of pilgrims from across India annually. The government is implementing various security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage.

The security measures have been intensified following the terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year.