Amarnath Yatra Starts From Twin Routes Of Pahalgam, Baltal In Srinagar:- Amidst tight security arrangements on Thursday, the annual yatra to the holy shrine of Amarnath started from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal in Srinagar.

A police official said, “From both the routes, the yatra started early this morning and by far more than 500 pilgrims have paid gesture at the cave shrine housing the naturally formed ice-lingam.” To ensure the 45-day pilgrimage passes off peacefully, adequate security arrangements have been put in place, said the official. The security agencies are not leaving anything to chance, although the militant outfits and separatist groups have assured that the annual pilgrimage would not be targeted.

To safeguard the two routes leading to the cave shrine, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and army personnel are providing assistance to the Police and CRPF personnel. The Amarnath Yatra compared to the last year’s 48 days, will be eight days shorter. The yatra will conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on August 7.

Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, the shrine stands at 3,888 metres, 46 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal. On Wednesday, an ITBP officer died of cardiac arrest near the cave shrine in South Kashmir.

SUPRAJA