Jammu:
The first batch of around 3000 pilgrims left Jammu today for the Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in Kashmir, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow.
The batch of pilgrims, which includes 563 women and 37 children, was flagged off by state Tourism Minister G A Mir at Jammu base camp.
The pilgrims left from Yatri Niwas in a fleet of 96 vehicles at around 5:45 am today amid tight security. The home ministry issued an alert of a possible terror strike during the pilgrimage this year.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the safe passage of the pilgrims and to foil any attack by militants, a senior police official said.
The civil administration has set-up spot registration counters at different places. "However, the spot-registration will be subject to the availability, as only 15,000 yatris will be allowed for the pilgrimage every day," a tourism official informed PTI.
Outstation vehicles are being checked at Lakhanpur border and are issued a 'Traffic Check Sticker', besides a high-level surveillance by police forces in different parts of the city.
The batch of pilgrims, which includes 563 women and 37 children, was flagged off by state Tourism Minister G A Mir at Jammu base camp.
The pilgrims left from Yatri Niwas in a fleet of 96 vehicles at around 5:45 am today amid tight security. The home ministry issued an alert of a possible terror strike during the pilgrimage this year.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the safe passage of the pilgrims and to foil any attack by militants, a senior police official said.
The civil administration has set-up spot registration counters at different places. "However, the spot-registration will be subject to the availability, as only 15,000 yatris will be allowed for the pilgrimage every day," a tourism official informed PTI.
Outstation vehicles are being checked at Lakhanpur border and are issued a 'Traffic Check Sticker', besides a high-level surveillance by police forces in different parts of the city.
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