Anantnag police apprehends three OGWs with help of facial recognition system
Anantnag, July 8
In a significant success demonstrating the effectiveness of advanced surveillance technology deployed for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Facial Recognition System installed by Anantnag Police generated timely alerts regarding three suspicious individuals while they were passing through the Sarbal area.
Acting swiftly on the alerts, police personnel intercepted and verified the identities of the individuals. During the verification process, all three were identified as Over Ground Workers (OGWs), according to the Kashmir police.
Based on the intelligence generated through the Facial Recognition System and subsequent verification, all three individuals were promptly apprehended by Anantnag Police for further legal proceedings.
The successful detection highlights the crucial role of technology-driven policing in strengthening the security grid and ensuring a safe, secure, and incident-free Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the police stated.
Anantnag Police remains committed to leveraging modern surveillance systems and maintaining a robust security framework to safeguard pilgrims and uphold peace in the district.
Meanwhile, as the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 continues in full swing, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has taken a lead role in ensuring the safety and well-being of devotees through a robust security grid and dedicated humanitarian services along the National Highway-44.
Personnel of the CRPF are carrying out continuous Road Opening Party (ROP) operations to maintain a seamless security blanket on the highway. Beyond their primary security duties, the 84th Battalion of the CRPF has established a Mobile Health Camp at Chanderkote in the Ramban district, providing round-the-clock medical care to pilgrims and locals alike.
Functioning under the supervision of Commandant CRPF 84 Battalion, N Ranbir Singh, the dedicated medical team led by Senior Medical Officer Dr Anantha Krishnan, Paramedical staff equipped with an Advanced Life Saving ambulance and life-saving medicine, is delivering prompt healthcare services, reflecting the CRPF's commitment to both the safety and well-being of Yatris throughout their pilgrimage.
On July 3, the 57-day pilgrimage commenced, which is being heavily monitored using digital surveillance and RFID tracking systems to ensure crowd management and safety.
The annual yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good job by Anantnag Police. But we must also consider privacy concerns with such widespread surveillance. While I understand the need for security during yatra, there should be clear guidelines on data usage and retention. Otherwise, this is a positive step. 👍
Great initiative by the police and CRPF. The mobile health camp at Chanderkote is also a brilliant idea—pilgrims often face health issues during the journey. This is what holistic security looks like: technology, manpower, and humanitarian care. Well done to all involved! 👏
I'm all for security, but I hope this technology is not misused against innocent citizens. The track record of surveillance in Kashmir needs to be transparent. Still, if it helps catch OGWs who threaten pilgrims, I'll cautiously support it. Let's hope for a peaceful yatra! 🕊️
Excellent use of technology! The facial recognition system is proving its worth. I appreciate the CRPF's dual role—security and medical support. This will give confidence to lakhs of pilgrims who undertake this sacred journey. Keep up the good work, forces! 🇮🇳
While the apprehension is good, I wonder about the false positives that facial recognition systems often have. There have been cases of mistaken identity in the past. I hope the police have manual verification processes in place to avoid harassing innocent people. Otherwise, a step in the right direction.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.