1st batch of pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath Yatra

July 01, 2016 09:24

The first batch of 1,138 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday for this year's Amarnath Yatra that begins from Saturday.

State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, junior minister Priya Sethi and Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in winter capital Jammu at 5 am on Friday.

There are 900 men, 225 women and 13 children in the first batch which left in 13 buses, 24 mini-buses and other modes of public and private conveyance in a convoy guarded by the security forces.

Providing security to this year's Amarnath Yatra is a major security and intelligence challenge for state and central agencies because of the spurt in terrorist violence.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh would arrive in Jammu on Friday on a two-day visit to review the security situation in the state, especially the security arrangements for this year's Yatra

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