JAMMU, July 15: A fresh batch of 6,251 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu on Wednesday for the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra amid elaborate security arrangements.
Officials said the pilgrims departed early in a convoy of 230 light and heavy motor vehicles under a multi-layered security cover provided by the police, security forces, civil administration and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
Of the total pilgrims, 2,985 are heading to the Baltal base camp, while 3,266 are proceeding via the Pahalgam route.
The annual pilgrimage has already crossed the three lakh pilgrim mark in just 13 days, setting a new record.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has once again urged devotees to undertake the pilgrimage only after obtaining valid registration and to travel strictly on their allotted date, reiterating that unregistered pilgrims will not be allowed to proceed to the base camps.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu on July 2, marking the formal commencement of this year’s pilgrimage.
