Another batch of 1,889 pilgrims leaves Jammu for Amarnath Yatra

Jammu, July 17: Despite unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, the Amarnath Yatra continued on Sunday as another batch of 1,889 pilgrims left here for the valley.

"Another batch of 1,889 yatris (pilgrims) left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the valley in 56 vehicles today," a police officer told IANS here on Sunday.

"The batch of pilgrims comprises 1,422 males, 333 females and 128 sadhus, besides children."

The fleet of vehicles carrying the pilgrims is escorted by security forces, the police officer said.

Amarnath Yatra continued from Baltal base camp in Kashmir after the ongoing violence started here on July 9 following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani and his two associates in a gunfight with the security forces.

This year's pilgrimage started on July 2 and will end on August 17 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals.

So far, over 1,35,000 pilgrims have had 'Darshan' inside the cave shrine, which is situated at 3,888 metres above mean sea level in the Himalayas in Kashmir.

Twelve yatris have died of natural causes during the pilgrimage so far.

IANS