Flags off specially-trained Mountain Rescue Teams for both pilgrim routes
DGP’s commendation medal approved for Gulmarg rescue ops participants
Srinagar, Jun 18: With the shadow of increasing cloudbursts looming large over the Himalayas due to global warming, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat Thursday flagged off specially trained Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, describing them as the first line of response during disasters and emergencies in high-altitude terrain.
The DGP said it was for the first time that a highly trained joint rescue team would be deployed to assist and guard the Amarnath pilgrims at both base camps.
Addressing the teams flagged off for both Yatra routes, he said the MRTs will deal with rescue operations, high-altitude sickness and provide necessary medical assistance to pilgrims during the 57-day-long Yatra beginning July 3.
Prabhat said the teams will also respond to emergency rescue situations in case of natural calamities during the pilgrimage. The MRTs comprise men from the Police, SDRF, BSF, SSB and CRPF.
Highlighting the growing vulnerability of mountain regions to extreme weather events, the J&K Police chief said incidents of cloudbursts and flash-floods are increasing due to global warming, making trained mountain rescue units indispensable for disaster response in hilly areas. “Mountain Rescue Teams play a crucial role in rescue in hilly areas,” he said, underlining the importance of specialised training and coordinated disaster preparedness.
Referring to the recent Gulmarg rescue operation, the DGP praised the role played by the SDRF, police MRT teams and locals for showing courage and valour during emergency response efforts.
“In Gulmarg, SDRF played a great role, and the police’s MRT showed courage and valour. I had promised them that whosoever participated in the Gulmarg rescue operation would be given DGP’s commendation medal,” he said. He added that the list submitted by officers for commendation medals already stands approved for all those who took part in the Gulmarg rescue operation, while another list is awaited.
Calling training the “basic need for any professional duty,” Prabhaat stressed the importance of joint preparedness among different forces. “SDRF, Armed Police — unless you are jointly trained, we can’t achieve the targets,” he said.
The DGP congratulated the SDRF, Armed Police MRT teams, BSF and SSB for building what he described as a “first of its kind, well-trained MRT” capable of responding not only during the Amarnath Yatra but also during other disaster-like situations across J&K.
He called for joint exercises with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), saying the police and rescue agencies would adopt the best disaster management practices from the national force.
“We need to do joint exercises with the NDRF, which is trained to deal with disasters. We will try our best to adopt best practices from NDRF,” the DGP said.
The annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3 this year, remains one of the most demanding high-altitude pilgrimages in the country, requiring extensive coordination among police, disaster response teams and medical units.
