Fresh batch of pilgrims leave for Amarnath shrine

A fresh batch of 2,039 pilgrims left the base camp here today for the Amarnath cave shrine.

Jammu, July 10 : A fresh batch of 2,039 pilgrims left the base camp here today for the Amarnath cave shrine.

Devotees, including 1,337 men, 427 women, 82 children and 133 sadhus, left the base camp at MAM stadium in a convoy of 67 vehicles, officials said.

The pilgrims will reach the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam on Wednesday. However, some will halt at Baltal base camp.

Besides tight security, several arrangements have been made for pilgrims to provide them shelter and medical treatment at all camps.

With this batch, a total of 20,190 pilgrims have left from here for Amarnath since the commencement of the yatra on July 2.

Every year, lakhs of pilgrims trek along a treacherous mountain track to the Amarnath shrine, located at an altitude of 3,800 metres (12,700 feet).

Militants have targeted the annual pilgrimage in the past. In 2002, eight Hindu pilgrims were killed in an attack on the Nunwan camp in Pahalgam.

ANI