First batch of 1,138 pilgrims leaves Jammu for annual Amarnath Yatra

• The first batch of pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra left Jammu today
• Rajnath Singh will take a stalk of security measures in his two day visit to the state
• CRPF will be inducting drones for aerial security and crowd management

JAMMU, JULY 1: Amid tight security, the first batch of 1,138 pilgrims left Jammu today, for the annual Amarnath yatra, which begins from Saturday, July 2.

The 48-day long yatra that will proceed to Amarnath shrine situated in South Kashmir Himalayas from Pahalgam and Balta, which has begun under the concern of increased incidents of terrorist attacks in the state.

Reportedly, there are 900 males, 225 females and 13 children in the first batch. They have left Jammu in 13 buses, 24 mini-buses and other modes of public and private transport in a group guarded by the security forces.

Flanked by junior minister Priya Sethi and Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh flagged off the batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu at 5 am today.

According to the Indian Express, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh will also take a stock of the security measures in his two day visit to the valley.He along with Governor N N Vohra will also be present for the pratham (first) darshan of 'baba barfani' (ice lingam at the shrine).

Nirmal Singh said, "With adequate number of security forces sent to the state by Central government, all security arrangements for smooth conduct of yatra have been put in place."

Singh added that that special enquiry centres have been set up by police and other agencies for all information, particularly the weather conditions.

Speaking to The Hindu, a senior police officer said, "With up gradation in technology, many new electronic surveillance systems have been inducted in the security set up."

He further told that CRPF will be inducting drones for aerial security and crowd management and added, "This will be in addition to the manual security in and around the base camp."

The state is currently struggling with increased terrorist activities and attacks on security forces, which has posed a serious threat to the security arrangements made for the peaceful termination of the yatra.

-This report is compiled by a staff-writer at NewsGram.

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