Jammu, July 9: The eighth batch of 8,150 pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu on Thursday morning for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam under stringent security arrangements.
Officials said the pilgrims travelled in a convoy of 334 Light Motor and Heavy Motor Vehicles. Of the total, 3,445 pilgrims were headed to the Baltal base camp, while 4,705 proceeded towards the Pahalgam route.
The convoy moved under a multi-layered security grid with coordinated arrangements by the civil administration, police, security forces and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to ensure the pilgrimage is conducted safely and smoothly.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has reiterated its appeal to devotees to undertake the pilgrimage only after obtaining confirmed registration and strictly on their scheduled date. Authorities said no unregistered pilgrim will be allowed to proceed to the base camps.
The annual pilgrimage began after Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on July 2. (Agencies)
