Shri Amarnath Yatra 2016 resumes amidst Tight Security

Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir), July 12, 2016 - After three days Shri Amarnath yatra resumed last evening with 2397 pilgrims leaving for Holy Cave amid tight security.

As per official information, all the stranded pilgrims (Yatris) who had the darshan registration date of July 10, 11 and 12 were allowed to leave for Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas.

The authorities made tight security arrangements for Shri Amarnath Yatra and yatris are being escorted by security forces up to the base camps.

Shri Amarnath Yatra was suspended on July 8 soon after the violence erupted in Kashmir valley following the killing of militants.

Yatris in high spirits left for Shri Amarnath Yatra amid chanting of "Bum Bum Bholay and Har Har Mahadev".

Meanwhile, pilgrims who returned from Holy Cave Shrine after darshans and were stranded at Baltal & Pahalgam for last three days, left for onward journey back to Jammu late last night and would leave for their home States.

Jammu Kashmir Government conveyed that the administration had made proper arrangements for stranded pilgrims at Baltal and Sonamarg. In order to facilitate Shri Amarnath Yatra stranded at various places including the National Highway, Senior Superintendent of Police Railways Jammu, has been nominated as Nodal Officer on behalf of the Divisional Administration and is responsible for regularly managing the affairs in close coordination with Railway authorities.

As per official handout 5,906 pilgrims performed darshan at the Holy Cave yesterday. With this the total number of yatris paying obeisance in the Holy Cave Shrine since the Shri Amarnath Yatra started on July 2 has reached 1,33,264.

Reports reaching here said that Kashmiri locals are not very accommodating with Shri Amarnath Yatra this year at the base camps as some of the langars were said to have been looted and then set ablaze by the violent Kashmiri mob. According to reports five langars were set ablaze by a strong crowd of over 3000 on July 9 after ransacking & looting the langars.