Fresh batch of pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath

Jammu, July 14 (ANI): A fresh batch of 2,209 pilgrims left here on Saturday for their onward journey to the holy Amarnath cave shrine.

The batch comprising of 1,448 men, 476 women, 54 children and 271 sadhus left in a convoy of 76 vehicles fromr twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal.

With today's batch, over 40,481 pilgrims have left for the Amarnath yatra from Jammu till date.

According to sources, the yatra is going on smoothly. All arrangements, including security, are in place to ensure smooth yatra via twin tracks from Pahalagam-Amarnath and Baltal-Amarnath.

The CRPF has deployed 50 companies comprising 6,250 men while the Army has set up 97 area domination posts in and around the cave shrine in Lidder Valley, Pahalgam and locations along the route in Anantnag, Ramban and Udhampur Districts.

The Amarnath cave shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the main shrine is claimed to be over 5,000-years-old. (ANI)