All security arrangements made; no cause for worry: JK Governor

Amarnath Cave (JK): Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today said all arrangements have been made for the security of two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage and there is no cause for any worry. Vohra’s comments came amidst “biggest-ever” security blanket thrown to secure pilgrims undertaking the Amarnath pilgrimage which began today.

“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 here, 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 the 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 the cave 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 CCTV cameras and drones, assisted by mounted Army columns, to ensure that the pilgrimage route is not breached by terrorists and in case of a possible attack reinforcements reach as fast as possible.

Heavy rainfall today 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 weather improves and the tracks are safe for the 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 last evening.

Of this group of pilgrims, 1,904 have opted for 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 oilgrimage will conclude on August 26 on the day of Rakshabandhan.