Amarnath Yatra Resumes After Security Halt, 1,801 Pilgrims Leave Jammu

Jammu, Aug 6: The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed from Jammu on Thursday after a day-long suspension over heightened security arrangements on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, with 1,801 pilgrims leaving for the cave shrine in south Kashmir.

The 28th batch of pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas at 2.45 am under tight security and headed towards the Baltal base camp. No convoy was dispatched on the Pahalgam route, officials said.

The latest batch comprised 1,347 men, 351 women, 89 sadhus and 14 sadhvis, travelling in 74 vehicles.

With the departure of the latest batch, the total number of pilgrims who have left Jammu for the annual pilgrimage this year has reached 1,43,513.

Officials said more than 4.71 lakh pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine.

The pilgrimage, which began earlier this year amid elaborate security arrangements, is scheduled to conclude on August 28.

The yatra had remained suspended on Wednesday as security forces maintained heightened vigilance across Jammu and Kashmir in view of the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.

The resumption comes as authorities continue to maintain strict security measures along the pilgrimage routes and at key transit points to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims. (Agencies)