J-K: Another batch of pilgrims departs for Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, July 17: Another batch of pilgrims left for their journey to the Amarnath Yatra from Pantha Chowk on Wednesday.

The pilgrims set out for the holy shrine from the Pantha Chowk Srinagar base camp towards Baltal and Pahalgam Yatra base camp under heightened security measures.

Madhu, a pilgrim from Haryana, said, "We have come here to take the blessings of Baba. Our base camp is in Baltal and we are going there. The arrangements here are really nice. Everyone should come here once."

Another pilgrim from Bir said, "The weather this year is really nice and all the arrangements made are good. The crowd is however less this year. I am very excited. Everyone should come to visit."

Earlier, on July 15, a batch of pilgrims had left for their journey to Amaranth under heightened security measures.

The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board organises the Amarnath Yatra, divided into two routes: one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal.

Baltal is also the camping ground for pilgrims in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.

This year's Amarnath Yatra has been taking place amid a significant increase in the number of terror attacks in the state. The attacks come against the backdrop of the recent terror attacks in Jammu, the army convoy in Kathua and encounters in Doda and Udhampur.

Unprecedented security measures, including electronic surveillance and access control, have been put in place.

Further, to ensure safe movements of pilgrims, the state traffic police issued an advisory on July 6 on National Highway 44, with cut-off timings and clear instructions for convoy and non-convoy movements.

The Amarnath yatra, which started on June 29 will end on August 19, lasting 52 days. The devotees of Lord Shiva undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave, located in the Kashmir Himalayas.