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JAMMU, July 13, 2026: Amid robust and comprehensive security arrangements, the twelfth batch of devotees departed from the Jammu base camp on Monday to join the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir Valley. Official data released for the SANJY-2026 convoy indicates that a grand total of 7,754 pilgrims left the base camp in a heavily guarded fleet of 303 vehicles, heading toward the twin transit camps of Baltal and Pahalgam. The standard security protocol ensured that the massive movement was well-coordinated to guarantee the safety of the devotees tracking the challenging pilgrimage routes.
The convoy split into two distinct routes early Monday morning to manage the influx of yatris efficiently. The Baltal axis convoy was the first to departing at 0244 hours with 2,896 pilgrims accommodated in 133 vehicles—consisting of 59 buses, 12 Medium Motor Vehicles (MMVs), 56 Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), and 6 two-wheelers.
Shortly after, the Pahalgam axis convoy commenced its journey at 0328 hours, carrying 4,858 pilgrims across 170 vehicles, which included 105 buses, 29 MMVs, 35 LMVs, and 1 two-wheeler. The heavy vehicular deployment, totaling 164 buses, 41 MMVs, 91 LMVs, and 7 two-wheelers overall, highlights the scale of logistics managed by the authorities.
A detailed demographic breakdown of the 12th batch reveals a diverse group of devotees participating in this year’s pilgrimage. Out of the 7,754 total yatris, the batch comprises 5,383 males, 2,071 females, 16 children, and 4 transgender individuals. Additionally, the spiritual contingent includes 222 Sadhus and 58 Sadvis, who are embarking on the arduous trek to pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine. Security forces and local administration remain on high alert along the National Highway and both yatra tracks to ensure a seamless and peaceful journey for the thousands of arriving devotees.