Amarnath Yatra 2019: Pilgrimage kicks off amid tight security; second batch of pilgrims leaves for Pahalgam
Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the smooth and successful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra.
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The annual Amarnath yatra to the 3880-metre high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas began on Monday amid tight security arrangements. AP
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The first batch was flagged off from Jammu on Sunday. Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik participated in the ‘Pratham pooja’. As many as 2.85 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave last year, while the number of pilgrims was 3.52 lakh in 2015, 3,20 lakh in 2016 and 2.60 lakh in 2017. PTI
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The second batch comprising 4,417 pilgrims – including 3,543 males, 843 females and 31 children — left in a fleet of 142 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Pahalgam and Baltal. AP
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A total of 2,234 pilgrims, including 17 children, reached the base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal on Sunday as part of the first batch of this year’s yatra. AP
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Officials said that a robust security cover has been put in place for the yatra which includes satellite and chip-based tracking of vehicles and pilgrims. The deployment of forces is in various layers to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. The 46-day yatra will conclude on 15 August, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. PTI
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