This year, devotees heading for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra will not have access to helicopter services. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) announced this on Wednesday, stating that the decision was taken following an order from the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the SASB, all pilgrims must now travel to the holy cave shrine via the traditional Pahalgam and Baltal routes, either on foot or by using ponies and palanquins (palkis).
This comes after a high-level security meeting held on Tuesday, chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan. The meeting was attended by top officials including the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, J\&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and senior officers from the Army and central security forces.
Following the meeting, the Jammu and Kashmir government issued a strict security order. It declared all Amarnath Yatra routes as “No Flying Zones” from July 1 to August 10, 2025. The aim is to ensure the safety of all pilgrims during the yatra.
The official order from the J\&K Home Department stated:
“Whereas, in view of the forthcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025, which is scheduled w.e.f. 03.07.2025 to 09.08.2025, various security arrangements are being undertaken for smooth and peaceful conduct of the Yatra, and Whereas, all the stakeholders have discussed the prevailing security scenario in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and have proposed additional logistics provisions, and Whereas, Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, have also advised that the entire route of Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025 may be declared as ‘No Flying Zone’ w.e.f. July 01 to August 10, 2025.”
It further mentioned:
“Now, 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 and thus, flying of any kind of aviation platforms and devices including UAVs, Drones, Balloons, etc. is prohibited w.e.f. 1 July, 2025 to 10th August, 2025.”
However, the ban on flying will not apply to emergency medical services, disaster management, or surveillance operations by security forces. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for such cases will be issued soon.
The order will be in effect from July 1 to August 10, 2025, covering the entire duration of the yatra.
