All security arrangements made for Amarnath Yatra, no cause for worry: J&K Governor Vohra

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra was among the first pilgrims to offer prayers at the Amarnath shrine.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra said on Thursday that all arrangements have been made for the security of the two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage and there is no cause for any worry.

Vohra’s comments came amidst the “biggest-ever” security blanket thrown to secure pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath pilgrimage which began on Thursday.

“I want to give a message and assurance that all security arrangements have been made for Amarnath Yatra. There is no cause for worry for the pilgrims,” he told PTI after offering prayers at the cave shrine, located at an altitude of 12,756 feet.

Vohra was among the first pilgrims to offer prayers at the shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Governor also said that due to inclement weather, the pilgrimage has been suspended temporarily and it would be resumed once the weather situation improves

Vehicles tagged with electromagnetic chips, bike and bullet-proof SUV police convoys and scores of bullet-proof bunkers have been deployed as part of the “biggest-ever” security blanket thrown to secure pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath pilgrimage, an official said.

Over two lakh pilgrims have registered for the annual pilgrimage to thecave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas till now.

A posse of over 40,000 armed CRPF and state police personnel have virtually dotted the pilgrimage routes from Jammu — via Pahalgam and Baltal — with their overwhelming presence in armoured vehicles.

Forces have deployed a huge assortment of CCTVs and drones, assisted by mounted Army columns, to ensure that the pilgrimage route is not breached by terrorists and in case of an attack, reinforcements reach as fast as possible.

Heavy rainfall on Thursday delayed commencement of the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps.

“The yatra has not commenced yet from either Baltal or Pahalgam base camps due to rain,” a spokesman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said.

He said the pilgrimage will commence only after the weather improves and the tracks are safe for pilgrims to move on.

Amid tight security, the first batch of nearly 3,000 Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu reached the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam on Wednesday evening.

Of this group of pilgrims, 1,904 have opted for the traditional Pahalgam route while 1,091 choose the Baltal route to reach the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir. The batch comprises of 2,334 men, 520 women, 21 children and 120 Sadhus (monks), an official said. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 26, on the day of Rakshabandhan.