Srinagar, July 4: Amid tight security arrangements, another batch of 6,411 pilgrims on Friday left for Kashmir from Jammu base camp to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra 2025.
According to reports, a total of 12,300 pilgrims had 'darshan' inside the sacred Amarnath cave shrine on Thursday, the first day of the 38-day-long Yatra.
Officials said that another batch of 6,411 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatra Niwas on Friday morning in two escorted convoys consisting of 291 vehicles. Of these, 2,789 are heading to the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are on their way to the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam.
Amid chants of ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev’, excited pilgrims took part in the Amarnath Yatra on Thursday. They said they were not afraid of threats from Pakistan or its supporters and had come to answer the divine call of Lord Shiva. They felt protected and blessed by him and were determined to complete the pilgrimage.
On the other hand, authorities have taken every possible step to ensure strong security for this year’s Amarnath Yatra. The extra precautions come after the tragic April 22 attack, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians in Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, targeting them based on their faith.
An extra 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been brought in to support the army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.
All the transit camps on the way to the two base camps, as well as the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine, are being protected by security forces.
Local people have fully cooperated with this year’s Amarnath Yatra, just as they have in previous years.
To show that Kashmiris were very upset by the Pahalgam terror attack, local people were the first to welcome the first group of pilgrims. They greeted them with garlands and signs as the pilgrims passed through the Navyug Tunnel to enter the Valley at Qazigund.
Notably, this year, the Yatra began on July 3 and will last for 38 days, ending on August 9. The end date matches the festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
