Srinagar, Aug 05 (KNO): The annual Amarnath Yatra crossed the 4.70 lakh pilgrim mark on Wednesday, even as the movement of fresh and return Yatra convoys remained suspended as a precautionary security measure on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that no fresh convoy carrying pilgrims was allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Baltal base camp. Similarly, no return convoy was permitted to move from Baltal to Jammu during the day.
He said the pilgrimage itself continued uninterrupted, with pilgrims already stationed at the Baltal base camp permitted to proceed to the Holy Cave Shrine and perform darshan as per schedule.
The latest figures available with KNO said, 2,943 pilgrims paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine on today. The devotees included 1,850 men, 868 women, 38 children, 39 sadhus, 12 sadhvis, two transgender pilgrims and 134 security personnel.
“The cumulative number of pilgrims who have performed darshan during the ongoing Yatra has reached 4,70,929,” the official said.
He said the suspension of convoy movement was part of enhanced security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
“The restriction was limited to the movement of fresh and return convoys, while the pilgrimage continued in a regulated manner through the Baltal route,” he said.
The annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. The traditional Pahalgam route has already been closed for the pilgrimage due to maintenance works, while the Baltal route remains operational—(KNO)