JAMMU : A fresh batch of 1,079 pilgrims today left for twin base camps of Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas amidst tight security.
A total of 1,079 pilgrims, including 672 males, 266 females, and 141 sadhus, left in a cavalcade of 28 vehicles from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the two base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir this morning, a police officer said.
Yesterday, 3,177 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine.
Since the beginning of the annual Yatra on July 2 this year, 2,02,500 pilgrims from various parts of the country have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine.
The yatra was suspended thrice in wake of unrest in the Valley following the encounter of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 by the security forces.
The pilgrimage was initially suspended on July 9 and resumed on July 11 amid tight security.
It was stopped again on July 14 and restarted on July 16. It was once again stopped on July 19 and resumed the same day.
Initially 12,500 central paramilitary personnel and 8,000 state policemen were deployed along the two routes in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam and Northeast Sonamarg, the number was however increased after the unrest erupted in the Valley. (AGENCIES)
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