Amarnath pilgrims number reduces to 450

Jammu, Jul 28 (UNI) The number of Amarnath yatris leaving for the cave shrine in South Kashmir today reduced to seasons low with only 450 pilgrims proceeding forward from the base camp here.

A batch of 450 pilgrims, including 78 women, six children and 100 sadhus, left for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in South Kashmir at 0500 hrs, an official spokesman said.

Escorted by security personnel, the pilgrims left for the shrine in a convoy comprising 11 buses and two light motor vehicles.

Reports said hundreds of people have cancelled their plans for pilgrimage following massive protests and subsequent curfew restrictions in the winter capital city of the state.

The two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage started on June 17.

UNI VJ SW DS1245