TBM Staff - Mumbai
The first batch of over 4,000 pilgrims, including nine children, arrived in the Kashmir Valley on Friday for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which will commence from the twin base camps in the Valley on Saturday. The pilgrims boarded a cavalcade of 231 vehicles in Jammu and reached south Kashmir in the afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4,603 pilgrims from the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu, with devotees raising slogans and singing hymns. Sinha emphasised that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, with multiple security rings in place.
This year’s pilgrimage is taking place under the shadow of militant threat after nine pilgrims were killed and 33 injured in Reasi on June 9 when militants attacked a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori to Katra. J&K Director General of Police R.R. Swain stressed the need to follow the cut-off timings for vehicles carrying pilgrims to the Valley and directed the security agencies to remain vigilant, adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), and conduct regular training and drills.
Security agencies have made elaborate arrangements for patrolling, monitoring highways, and for night domination exercises. A three-tier security set-up is in place at the base camp in the Bhagwati Nagar area in Jammu, and special Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been constituted.
The Amarnath Yatra will be held for 52 days this year, with pilgrims in lakhs expected to trek from the twin base camps located in south and central Kashmir’s tourist places of Pahalgam and Sonmarg respectively.
The traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district is 48 km long, and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district is 14 km. The cave shrine is located at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Around 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine last year, and over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered for the pilgrimage till date this year. BJP leader Devender Singh Rana expressed confidence that people from all over the country will receive the blessings of Lord Shiva and get love and affection from J&K’s residents, as in every year.
