Amarnath Yatra: Unfazed by looming terror threat, hundreds of pilgrims arrive in Jammu

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed arrangements for Amarnath Yatra by undertaking a visit to basecamp here and said the security forces are alert to ensure a smooth pilgrimage

Chants of “Bam Bam Bhole” and “Jai Barfani Baba ki” rented the air as hundreds of enthusiastic pilgrims unperturbed by the looming terror threat arrived at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here amid tight security on Tuesday to set out on a journey to cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas on Wednesday.

The devotees said their unflinching faith in Lord Shiva and the security forces has encouraged them to be part of the annual Amarnath Yatra that is being organised this year after a gap of two years on account of the Covid pandemic.

The first batch of pilgrims will leave the Jammu base camp on Wednesday, officials said.

Multi-tier security has been put in place in and around the base camp, lodging centres, and registration and token centres amid deployment of over 5,000 security personnel in Jammu city, the officials said.

“Na chinta na bhay, Baba Amarnath ji kee jai (Neither worry nor fear, as Baba Amarnath Ji with us),” said Vinay Kumar, who was part of 12-member group from Lucknow arrived here for his onward journey to cave shrine of Amarnath in the first batch on Wednesday.

Lauding the authorities for the “best possible arrangements”, Kumar, said, “We have full faith in Lord Shiva and our security forces”.

The group members have completed their registration and got tokens from Vaishnavi Dham near railway station for their journey to cave shrine in the first batch.