The first batch of 1,091 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu early Wednesday morning to start the Amarnath Yatra that begins from Thursday.

“A total of 1,091 yatris (pilgrims) left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in an escorted convoy of 52 vehicles. This included 780 males, 190 females, one child and 120 Sadhus,” police said.

The security agencies and administration of the 11 districts of Jammu and
Kashmir through which the first batch of Amarnath pilgrims will travel on Wednesday are on their toes to prevent any untoward incident.

While taking stock of the security arrangements in Srinagar on Tuesday, Governor NN Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), said that as of now 2,11,994 pilgrims have secured advance registration through the designated bank branches, group registration
facility and through booking of helicopter tickets for the Yatra.

Keeping in view the heightened threat of terrorism, the security agencies have taken unprecedented measures for safety of the pilgrims during the two-month-long pilgrimage that would begin on 28 June when the first two batches of pilgrims will leave the camps at Pahalgam and Baltal for the trek to the cave shrine.

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CRPF spokesman Ashish Jha said that a motorcycle squad has been formed to provide security to the pilgrims. The motorcycles have been fabricated in a manner that they can be used as ambulances in an emergency.

Each vehicle carrying the pilgrims will be tagged with Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) to monitor their movement. Joint control rooms of the Army, CRPF, BS, ITBP, NDRF, SRDF and various other agencies
have been set up at several places, including the two base camps in the Valley.

The most affected districts through which the batches of pilgrims shall cross are Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Srinagar and Ganderbal in the Kashmir valley and so the vehicles have to cross these areas in the daylight.

About 45,000 security personnel have been deployed on the Yatra duty. More than 22,500 jawans will be deployed on the pilgrimage routes that would also be monitored with the help of drones.

Besides, movement of pilgrims will also be monitored through the satellite and CCTV cameras that have been installed at vulnerable places. Quick Reaction Teams of paramilitary forces have already taken positions and bulletproof bunkers have also been provided at the base camps and
on yatra route. Sniffer dogs will also keep an eye on suspected baggage.

Umang Narula, chief executive officer of the SASB said that maximum numbers of pilgrims who have so far registered are from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, MP, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The 60-day Yatra will end on August 26, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.