new-batch-of-6-500-pilgrims-leaves-for-amarnath

A new group of over 6,500 pilgrims set off for the Amarnath shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas on Tuesday under tight security, officials reported.

On Monday, more than 23,000 devotees visited the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine, bringing the total number of pilgrims to over 51,000. Additionally, more than 2,000 on-the-spot registrations were completed that day.

The fifth batch of 6,537 pilgrims departed in 261 vehicles at 3:05 am, heading towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam, escorted by security vehicles.

Of these, 4,431 pilgrims chose the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route, while 2,106 opted for the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route.

Since June 28, when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch, a total of 26,101 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley. The 52-day Yatra began on June 29 and will conclude on August 19.

Meanwhile, multi-layered security has been put in place to thwart any terror threat. “Stringent security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra,” an official said.

Additionally, thousands of security personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other paramilitary forces have been deployed along the route. Aerial surveillance is also being carried out.

Over 50,000 pilgrims from across the country have paid obeisance at the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji in the first three days of the pilgrimage, which began on June 29 from the twin tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam.