Second batch begins trek from Baltal and Pahalgam base camps under tight security
Umaisar Gull Ganie
Jammu, Jul 4 Amid tight security arrangements, the third batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra left the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu early Saturday.
According to official data available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a total of 4,812 pilgrims departed for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in a convoy of 259 vehicles. “2,041 pilgrims are travelling via the Baltal route, while 2,771 are heading through the Pahalgam route.”
The batch comprises 3,434 male pilgrims, 966 female pilgrims, 11 children, 244 sadhus and 157 sadhvis. The convoy consists of 95 buses, 47 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 116 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and one two-wheeler.
Officials said the Baltal-bound convoy left Bhagwati Nagar at 3:00 am, while the Pahalgam-bound convoy departed at 3:24 am under multi-layered security arrangements.
Meanwhile, the second batch of pilgrims on Saturday set out from the twin base camps at Baltal in Ganderbal and Nunwan in Pahalgam to begin the trek to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, home to the naturally formed ice lingam.
Karan Singh, a pilgrim in the second batch, said the elaborate security arrangements had boosted the confidence of devotees.
“We are grateful to the administration for providing such strong security. This is motivating us to continue our journey for darshan,“ Karan said, expressing hope for a successful pilgrimage.
The 57-day annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 and will conclude on August 28 (Raksha Bandhan).—(KNO)
