Kulgam, July 09 (KNO): To bolster security for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, Kulgam Police has gone hi-tech—deploying cutting-edge geo-fencing surveillance and Facial Recognition Systems along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, officials said on Wednesday.
They said this is the first time such advanced digital surveillance tools have been employed on this scale in the district during the yatra.
Talking to a news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a senior police officer said that geo-fencing has been deployed across the highway stretch falling under Kulgam’s jurisdiction to monitor the movement of pilgrims and vehicles in real-time.
“The system creates virtual boundaries that trigger alerts whenever any monitored device or individual crosses into or exits the designated zones. This helps us detect suspicious activity immediately and respond without delay,” the officer said.
The official said that all security units stationed along the route are now connected through a centralized system that provides live updates and alerts, enhancing coordination and minimizing response time in case of any threat or emergency.
Police have also installed Facial Recognition Cameras at two critical points on the Yatra route. “The Facial Recognition System (FRS) helps automatically scan and identify individuals by matching their facial features with existing criminal databases. This ensures that any known suspects or persons of interest are flagged instantly,” the officer said.
He said that the FRS is particularly effective in crowded environments, where manual checking becomes difficult. It allows for non-intrusive, real-time screening of individuals without causing inconvenience to pilgrims. Kulgam Police has also set up quick response teams and control rooms to ensure 24/7 monitoring and coordination during the entire pilgrimage period.
Officials said that the hi-tech systems are being operated in strict compliance with privacy and legal protocols, focusing solely on security-related needs. The Amarnath Yatra, which began earlier this month, passes through several sensitive stretches in South Kashmir, making robust security arrangements essential—(KNO)