Amarnath yatra begins: Tight security in place

The annual Amarnath yatra has begun. The first batch of pilgrims started their progress on Monday morning.

The pilgrims' progress has begun peacefully this year. The first batch of pilgrims will go to the holy cave through the shorter Baltal route. The traditional Pahalgam route which is 45-kilometre long is snow bound right now. For a safe passage, additional CRPF personnel have been called in to assist the state police.

"Forces have been alerted along the international border and the LoC, any incident can take place anytime as the situation in the neighbouring country is not good, they can do anything to divert the attention from their internal situation," said Abdul Qayoom Manhas, DIG Jammu.

Last year, four and a half lakh pilgrims went on the Amarnath yatra. And despite militant threats, the number this year too is likely to be the same.

"We don't fear militants, we are determined to go ahead to do the darshan," said Prem Raj, a pilgrim.

It is the first batch of pilgrims going through the Baltal route. The number of pilgrims proceeding to the holy cave is expected to be even more when the Pahalgam route is opened which for the moment is still snow bound.