Number of Amarnath pilgrims declines to 265

Jammu, Jul 30 (UNI) The Number of Amarnath pilgrims leaving for the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir today declined to the season's low at 265 yatris, an official spokesman said.

Escorted by the security personnel, a fresh batch of 265 pilgrims, including 25 women, 101 sadhus and a child, left the base camp here at 0500 hrs, the spokesman told UNI.

The caravan pilgrims included seven buses only, he said.

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

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

UNI VJ SW RAI1214