BANIHAL, July 3: The second batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in the early hours of Friday under elaborate security arrangements, marking the continued smooth movement of the annual pilgrimage towards the Kashmir Valley.
According to the Zonal Police Control Room, Jammu, a total of 3,865 pilgrims departed in a convoy of 201 vehicles for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam.
Officials said 1,735 pilgrims travelling in 115 vehicles are proceeding towards the Baltal base camp, while 2,130 pilgrims in 86 vehicles are headed for the traditional Pahalgam route.
The batch comprises 2,965 male pilgrims, 618 female pilgrims, 230 sadhus, 48 sadhvis, and four children. The convoy includes 83 buses, 14 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 104 light motor vehicles (LMVs).
The Baltal-bound convoy departed from Jammu at 3:13 a.m., followed by the Pahalgam-bound convoy at 3:38 a.m., under multi-layer security cover with escorts provided by the police and other security agencies.
After entering Ramban district via the Nashri Tunnel, the Baltal-bound pilgrims are scheduled to halt at Lambar Ground, Banihal, where breakfast and other basic facilities have been arranged. Meanwhile, pilgrims travelling towards the Pahalgam route will stop at the Chanderkoot Langar sites in Ramban for breakfast before continuing their onward journey to south Kashmir.
Authorities have made extensive security, traffic management, medical, and logistical arrangements all along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure the safe and hassle-free movement of the Yatra convoys.
The annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine commenced on Thursday, with thousands of devotees expected to undertake the sacred journey over the coming weeks.
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