Fifth batch of pilgrims leaves for Amarnath yatra

The fifth batch comprising of 2,069 pilgrims today left from the base camp here to the cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security

Jammu: The fifth batch comprising of 2,069 pilgrims today left from the base camp here to the cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security.

The batch, which included 1,554 men, 488 women, 27 children, left in a cavalcade of 66 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar base camp here at 4:30 AM today, a police official said.

The convoy for the yatra has already crossed Tamatar Morh on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and would reach its destination at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps by this evening, he added.

With today's batch, as many as 8,940 pilgrims have so far left from Jammu base camp for Amarnath shrine. Security has been increased in view of inputs that Pakistan-based militant organisations might try to disrupt the yatra.

The Army had said that there were 'general inputs' that militants might try to target the yatra. The Army on its part has launched operation 'Shiva' aimed at providing foolproof security to the pilgrims.

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