Amarnath yatra: First batch of pilgrims leave from Jammu

Jammu: Amid tight security arrangements and chants of 'bam bam bhole', the first batch of Shri Amarnath Pilgrims left for the cave shrine from Bhagwati Nagar based Yatri Niwas base camp here on Wednesday.

The batch comprising of 2975 pilgrims was flagged off from Bagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp by advisors to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor, B B.Vyas and K.Vijay Kumar on early Wednesday morning. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Advisors to the Governor said that all the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage have been put in place.They said that various government agencies have been working in close coordination to facilitate the prestigious event of pilgrimage.

The first batch of Shri Amarnath pilgrims including 2334 men, 520 women, 21 children and 120 sadhus left for Kashmir Valley from Jammu base camp, in a cavalcade of 113 vehicles comprising 57 buses, 52 light motor vehicles and four motorcycles.

Special Bikers' Squad and Quick Action Teams of CRPF were providing mobile security cover to the cavalcade of pilgrims.This year's Shri Amarnath Yatra will commence from both the Baltal and traditional Pahalgam routes on Thursday morning.(UNI)