Amarnath Yatra Helicopter Services Suspended for Second Consecutive Year
In a significant safety measure, authorities have declared all routes to the Amarnath Cave Temple as a no-fly zone, resulting in the suspension of helicopter services for the upcoming Yatra. This decision follows a tragic terrorist attack last year that claimed multiple lives. Pilgrims will need to rely on walking or palanquins to reach the temple. The move aims to ensure the safety and security of all participants during the 57-day pilgrimage. Read on to learn more about the implications of this decision and the measures being taken to ensure a secure pilgrimage experience.
| Jun 4, 2026, 13:34 IST
No-Fly Zone Declared for Amarnath Yatra Routes
Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, authorities have once again declared all routes leading to the Amarnath Cave Temple in the southern Kashmir Himalayas as a no-fly zone. This decision comes ahead of the annual pilgrimage, which is set to commence on July 3, and results in the suspension of helicopter services for the duration of the 57-day event. According to government order number 321-HOME issued on June 1, 2026, all routes for the Amarnath Yatra, including the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route, will remain designated as a 'no-fly zone' until the conclusion of the pilgrimage on July 1, 2026.
As a result, helicopter services will not be available for pilgrims this year. Officials have informed those planning to undertake the Amarnath Yatra about the suspension of helicopter services during the pilgrimage. An official from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the management of the Yatra, stated that pilgrims can reach the Amarnath Cave Temple either by walking or with the assistance of palanquins throughout the journey.
According to officials, the suspension of helicopter services is a precautionary measure for safety reasons. They explained that by declaring all routes as a 'no-fly zone,' security agencies aim to prevent any unauthorized aerial activities, including drone flights, during the pilgrimage. To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the Yatra, security agencies will implement extensive aerial surveillance to monitor both pilgrimage routes around the clock.
This marks the second consecutive year that helicopter services will not be available for pilgrims during the Yatra. Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists and a local pony driver, authorities had previously suspended helicopter services and declared two pilgrimage routes as 'no-fly zones' for safety reasons.
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