Nuzhat Mushtaq
Jammu: The 18th batch of Amarnath pilgrims, comprising 4,875 devotees, left the Jammu base camp in the early hours of Monday for the twin base camps in Kashmir. The pilgrims, including 3,464 men, 1,333 women, 14 children, and 64 sadhus and sadhvis, were escorted by CRPF personnel.
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The convoy of 162 vehicles left around 3 am, with 2,957 pilgrims opting for the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route and 1,918 taking the shorter 14-km Baltal route. The 52-day yatra, which began on June 29, will conclude on August 19.
Last year, over 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine. The pilgrims’ enthusiasm was palpable as they chanted “Bum Bum Bholey” while departing from the Jammu base camp.
The administration, civil society organizations, trade unions and the locals gave a warm welcome to the pilgrims. All arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
All arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Around 800 CCTV cameras have been installed on the pilgrimage routes. Besides, 500 additional companies of security forces have been deployed
