First Batch of Pilgrims Leave For Amarnath

The firstbatch of Amarnath Yatris left Jammu for the Kashmir Valley on Sunday to beginthis year's annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Himalayan Cave Shrine.

The 45-daylong Amarnath Yatra will officially commence from Monday and conclude on August15 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.

According topolice sources, the first batch of pilgrims include 1,051 bound for the northKashmir Baltal base camp and 1,183 to the Pahalgam base camp. The first batch ofpilgrims comprise of 1,839 males, 333 females, 45 sadhus and 17 children.

Police saidthat the pilgrims left in security escorted convoys and during the journey noopposite movement of traffic will be allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway till3 pm on Sunday. The two-way vehicular movement of traffic has been cancelled inorder to ensure that the pilgrims cross the Jawahar Tunnel without any delay.

To make aviolence free Amarnath Yatra, extra ordinary security arrangements have beenmade to ensure a smooth journey.

Meanwhile,Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reviewed the security arrangements duringhis visit to Kashmir last week.