Amarnath Yatra commences amid tight security

Srinagar, Jun 28: On Tuesday, Jun 28 the annual Amarnath yatra began amidst tight security with 10,000 security force personnel deployed to cover-up the pilgrims from any possible threat. Around 5,000 paramilitary CRPF and an equal number of state police personnel have been deployed for safety and security of the pilgrims along the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route, the officials said.

According to the intelligence inputs, though there is no militant threat to the annual pilgrimage, the officials did not want to take any chance nor any risk.

With CRPF keeping strict vigil, a cavalcade of 73 vehicles carrying the pilgrims was flagged off by minister for tourism and culture Nawang Rigzin Jora from Amarnath base camp at Bagwatinagar Yatri Niwas around 5:00am.

The devotees chanted Lord Shiva slogans like "Bum Bum Bolay, Chalo Amarnath". "All arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the yatra," Jora said.

In late 1990s and early 2000s, the Amarnath yatra has generally been conducted smoothly over the years. In fact, the officials said that security force personnel have been deployed all along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and between Khanabal and Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Srinagar and Baltal in Ganderbal district.

OneIndia News