Banihal, Jul 30: A fresh batch of 1,795 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Thursday for the Baltal base camp to undertake the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra under tight security arrangements, officials said.
According to the Joint Police Control Room (JPCR), Jammu, the 23rd batch departed at 2:44 a.m. in a convoy of 83 vehicles, including 41 buses, 11 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 30 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and one two-wheeler.
The batch comprised 1,406 male pilgrims and 389 female pilgrims. No pilgrims were scheduled to travel via the Pahalgam route on Thursday.
Officials said the convoy is moving under multi-layer security with escort vehicles and an ambulance accompanying the pilgrims.
With the departure of Thursday’s convoy, the total number of pilgrims who have left Bagwati Nagar base camp Jammu for the annual pilgrimage has reached 1,34,201, according to the JPCR.
Meanwhile, the 22nd return convoy carrying 1,943 pilgrims departed from the Baltal base camp for Jammu on Thursday.
According to the Joint Police Control Room, Baltal, the return convoy comprised 1,413 male pilgrims, 392 female pilgrims, 12 children, 97 sadhus and 29 sadhvis. The pilgrims were travelling in 63 vehicles, including 40 heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), 11 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), and 12 light motor vehicles (LMVs) under adequate security arrangements.
The annual pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave shrine is continuing smoothly with authorities maintaining elaborate security and traffic management along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the Baltal route.
