Undeterred by terror attack, fresh batch of pilgrims leaves for Amarnath Yatra
In the light of recent terror attack on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims, over 35,000 security personnel have been stationed in the area to ensure the protection of the travellers.
Amarnath cave shrine is situated 3,888 m above the sea-level in Kashmir. Situated at a distance of 46 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal, the cave shrine is a major Hindu pilgrimage destination in the country. (Photo by Special arrangement)
This year's season began on 29 June, and more than 2.20 lakh pilgrims have performed the Amarnath Yatra already. The pilgrimage will conclude on 7 August on Shravan Purnima coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. (Photo by Special arrangement)
Surrounded by snowy mountains and steep tracks, pilgrims usually take the traditional Pahalgam track to reach the destination. However, the Baltal track has also become increasingly popular among the believers. (Photo by Special arrangement)
Taking into consideration the many accidents that have happened in the area in recent times, helicopter service is made available for the pilgrims on both the routes. (Photo by Special arrangement)
This year has not been a good one for the pilgrims, as 44 people en route to the holy cave have lost their lives so far. (Photo by Special arrangement)
While 17 died in a road accident on Jammu-Srinagar national highway on July 15, 8 were killed in a terror attack on their bus at Batengo in Anantnag district on July 10. 19 others died of natural causes. (Photo by Special arrangement)
Over 35,000 personnel drawn from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Jammu and Kashmir police have been deployed for the security of pilgrims. (Photo by Special arrangement)
However, undeterred by the news of the terror attack, another batch of 1,782 pilgrims on Wednesday left Jammu for the mountainous trek. (Photo by Special arrangement)
'The batch left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in an escorted convoy of 62 vehicles at 3.40 am on Wednesday for the valley', an official said in Jammu. (Photo by Special arrangement)
