Security beefed up at Vaishnodevi for Navratras

"We have completed security deployment at Katra base camp and around the shrine. All security arrangements have been put in place for smooth and peaceful conduct of festival," IGP Jammu Dilbagh Singh said here today, adding that special arrangements have been made for congested areas.

"We hope for incident-free Navratras and smooth passage of the festival period in the region," he said.

The Navratra festival which is being organised jointly by the State Tourism department and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and nearly 3 to 3.5 lakh pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine in Trikuta hills during the 9-day festivities.

Recording highest-ever pilgrim turnout, over one crore pilgrims had visited the shrine in 2011.