In Jammu and Kashmir, the 9th batch of over 4600 Amarnath pilgrims was allowed to move towards Kashmir for their onward journey to the Amarnath cave shrine as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which had been damaged at several places due to incessant rainfall, was opened for vehicular traffic in the afternoon.

AIR Correspondent reports that 4665 pilgrims including 3591 Males, 987 Females, 01 Child, 84 Sadhu, and 02 Sadhvi left for twin base camps of Nunwan Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district, under tight security arrangements in the afternoon today from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas, Jammu in a cavalcade of 171 vehicles. 1597 pilgrims left via the base camp of Baltal in 58 vehicles, while 3068 left via the traditional Nunwan Pahalgam base camp in 113 vehicles.

They will reach their respective base camps by the evening where they will proceed for their further sojourn early tomorrow morning. Worth to mention, the Amarnath Yatra was resumed from the Jammu base camp today afternoon after remaining suspended for three days in view of the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for repairs in the Ramban section which was opened now.

So far, about 1, 42, 385 devotees have visited the Amarnath cave shrine since the beginning of the Yatra on July 1. The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1 and is scheduled to conclude on August 31. The Yatra is progressing smoothly, with devotees from across the country thronging the base camps to have a glimpse of the naturally formed ice-shiv lingam and offer their prayers.