The annual pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas would begin on Monday under tight security amid an escalation of militant violence. Officials said the first batch of 2,234 pilgrims arrived in Baltal and Pahalgam, the base camps for the pilgrimage in Ganderbal and Anantnag districts, on Sunday. “The yatris [pilgrims] have started arriving at the base camps. “The food and accommodation at the base camps are provided for free. “All the security agencies have coordinated to draw out a security plan...We have made a comprehensive plan based on our experience,” said CRPF inspector general Ravideep Singh Sahi.

Source: Hindustan Times July 01, 2019 00:33 UTC