Amarnath Yatra (File photo)
JAMMU: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the twin base camps of Amarnath Yatra 2026 from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp under elaborate security arrangements early Thursday, as chants of “Bam Bam Bhole”, “Har Har Mahadev”, and “Jai Barfani Baba Ki” rang in the air.The 57-day pilgrimage to the cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Kashmir Himalayas will begin July 3 via the traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the Baltal route in Ganderbal. The yatra will conclude on Aug 28, on Rakshabandhan.After performing a special puja, Sinha flagged off the first batch of more than 4,800 pilgrims travelling in 259 vehicles. “Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is a sacred path where devotion meets spiritual awakening. I wish all devotees a safe, comfortable, blissful, and spiritually fulfilling journey. May this holy pilgrimage bring immense joy and divine peace to all,” LG Sinha said.J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, LoP Sunil Sharma, BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, local BJP legislators, senior civil and police officials, and representatives of various religious organisations were present at the flag-off ceremony. Pilgrims praised the facilities, with Baba Goga Nath of Junagarh Akhara describing the journey as a blessing. J&K administration, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, J&K Police, Army and security forces have put extensive measures in place. Dry runs have been conducted to check security and other arrangements for the yatris, who will be escorted by armoured vehicles. Traffic police have imposed highway restrictions from July 2 to Aug 28, with daily advisories and sector-wise cut-off timings.J&K Police have launched “Project Hawk Eye” for aerial surveillance along the Pahalgam route. Security measures include 28 high observation posts (machan morchas), 22 specially trained sniper teams, 416 high-resolution CCTV cameras and Facial Recognition System infrastructure at critical locations. Ministry of Home Affairs has also approved the deployment of 670 additional companies of paramilitary forces in the Valley for the yatra.
