Fourth Shri Amarnath Yatra batch leaves Jammu with over 6700 pilgrims

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JAMMU, July 5 — The fourth batch of 6,721 pilgrims, including 87 foreign nationals, departed from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Sunday morning.

The 291-vehicle fleet left for the twin base camps under elaborate security arrangements, with 2,590 pilgrims opting for the shorter Baltal route and 4,131 choosing the traditional Pahalgam route.

The departing group comprised 4,576 men, 1,310 women, 22 children, 572 sadhus, and 154 sadhvis. Among the foreign devotees joining the escorted convoy were 38 men and 49 women.Officials confirmed that the Baltal-bound convoy, which included 50 buses, 12 medium motor vehicles, and 90 light motor vehicles, left the base at 3:15 am.

The Pahalgam-bound convoy, consisting of 84 buses, 25 medium motor vehicles, and 30 light motor vehicles, followed shortly after at 3:45 am.

The pilgrims are expected to reach the Baltal and Nunwan base camps by evening before they proceed further toward the holy cave shrine for darshan.

This year, the annual pilgrimage operates under a multi-layered security grid, with closely coordinated efforts between the civil administration, police, security forces, and the Amarnathji Shrine Board to guarantee a safe and smooth journey for all devotees.