Yatra resumes from Jammu, progressing from Baltal, Pahalgam smoothly

Yatra movement on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was resumed this morning after remaining suspended yesterday for security reasons following strike called by separatists on the first death anniversary of Burhan Wani of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), who was killed in an encounter with security forces last year.

Fresh batch of pilgrims left Bagwati Nagar, Jammu base camp very early this morning for Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps early this morning. Similarly, pilgrims, who were stopped at Batlal and Pahalgam base camp after paying obeisance at the cave shrine, also left for Jammu this morning.

Weather is pleasant and fresh batches of pilgrims left Batal and Pahalgam base camps early this morning for holy Amarnath cave shrine, official sources told UNI.

However, the number of pilgrims was less as compared to previous days because very less yatris arrived at Batlal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps yesterday.

Interestingly, majority of the pilgrims, from different parts of the country, are travelling from Jammu to Srinagar on their own without any security cover.

Yatris, who had night halt at Panjtarni, left for cave shrine early this morning. Majority of them had paid obeisance at the cave shrine this morning while more pilgrims are on way to holy shrine, they said.

A yatra official said that 10,763 had paid obeisance at the holy cave from shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks yesterday. With this, a total of 1,26,604 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave.  

A fresh batch of pilgrims left towards the cave shrine from shortest Baltal track early this morning. The pilgrims are expected to reach the holy cave in the afternoon, he said, adding that the pilgrims, who had night halt at cave shrine, are also on way back to Baltal base camp.

Meanwhile, fresh batch of pilgrims left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the traditional track.

Pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting stations, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine since early this morning.