Pilgrims Set Off for Amarnath Yatra Amid Tight Security in Kashmir

A new group of pilgrims departed from Srinagar's Pantha Chowk base camp for the Amarnath Yatra amidst heightened security in Jammu and Kashmir. Participants praised the facilities and expressed excitement about paying obeisance at the Amarnath Shrine despite an uptick in terror incidents.

With heightened security in place, another group of pilgrims departed on Sunday from the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, for the Amarnath Yatra. Among the pilgrims was Vijay Kumar from Punjab's Jalandhar, who spent Saturday night at the camp before heading to the Amarnath Shrine in South Kashmir's Anantnag district.

'The facilities here are excellent, and a bus will soon take us to Baltal. We will return after paying our obeisance,' Kumar told ANI, emphasizing the lack of worry among the pilgrims.

Vinita Singh from Haryana shared her excitement about the journey. 'All the arrangements, including security, are top-notch. The locals are very hospitable. We aim to pray for peace across the country,' she added.

The Yatra, managed by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, features two routes: one through Pahalgam and another via Baltal in the Ganderbal district. Baltal serves as a camping ground. Prasad from Bengaluru, on his fifth visit to Kashmir, was hopeful of completing the Yatra by Sunday evening.

'I want to visit Kashmir every year. I urge everyone to experience this,' Prasad said, lauding the valley's beauty. The Yatra commenced on June 29 from both Baltal and Pahalgam and will conclude on August 19.

This year’s pilgrimage is taking place amid a significant rise in terror attacks in the region. (ANI)