Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 2

Hundreds of Amarnath Yatris arrived at the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district on Thursday ahead of the start of the annual Amarnath Yatra, as authorities said elaborate security and logistical arrangements had been put in place for the yatra.

The first batch of yatris, flagged off from Jammu earlier in the day, reached the Baltal base camp by evening under multi-layered security before the official commencement of the 57-day yatra on Friday.

Minister Satish Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Police Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore, and Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhama welcomed the devotees and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling yatra.

The officials said security, traffic management and public facilitation measures had been strengthened in coordination with the police, Central Armed Police Forces, health authorities, and other government agencies.

Dedicated assistance centres and help desks have been established along the route, while police personnel have been deployed round the clock to guide yatris and respond to emergencies, officials said.

They urged devotees to follow official advisories and cooperate with security personnel to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra.

Yatris using the Baltal route will begin the 14-km trek to the Amarnath Cave shrine early on Friday.

Authorities said adequate arrangements for healthcare, sanitation, drinking water, and other essential services had been made at the base camp, while the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) will hold special prayers at the Amarnath Cave shrine to mark the opening of this year’s yatra.