The annual Amarnath yatra started today from Jammu amid tight security arrangements. The first batch comprises 1,280 pilgrims.
“Amarnath yatra began from Jammu today. A batch of 1,280 pilgrims have left from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu this morning for their onward journey to the 3,888 meters high cave shrine of Amarnath in Kashmir Valley,” said Dr Piyush, Yatra officer and Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu.
The batch comprising 919 men, 191 women, 16 children and 154 sadhus left in a cavalcade of 34 vehicles guarded by heavy contingent of CRPF personnel from the base camp at 5:10 a.m., a police officer said.
