Srinagar, July 5: Amid tight security arrangements, another batch of 6,979 pilgrims on Saturday left for Kashmir to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra 2025.
According to reports, a new batch of 6,979 pilgrims departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatra Niwas this morning in two escorted convoys consisting of 312 vehicles, heading towards the Valley. Of these, 2,753 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while 4,226 are traveling to the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp.
Meanwhile, over 26,800 pilgrims had 'darshan' inside the sacred Amarnath cave shrine during the last two days since the 38-day-long pilgrimage started on July 3.
Earlier yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated a Yatri Niwas at the Baltal base camp. The facility also features a disaster management center.
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.
