Jammu, July 2 (JKNS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 from Jammu, formally marking the commencement of the annual pilgrimage amid tight security and elaborate arrangements.
Speaking on the occasion, as per news agency JKNS, Jugal Kishore Sharma described the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra as one of India’s most significant pilgrimages and expressed confidence that the pilgrimage would be conducted smoothly.
He said the enthusiasm among devotees continues to grow and prayed for the successful completion of the Yatra.
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, also extended his greetings to the pilgrims and said the arrangements made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board would ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
He expressed hope that this year’s pilgrimage would witness a record turnout of devotees, saying the rush could surpass that of previous years.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees gathered at both the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir, chanting “Bam Bam Bhole” as the pilgrimage commenced with religious fervour.
Ahead of the flag-off, personnel of the CRPF’s 137th Battalion, assisted by a K9 unit, conducted extensive sanitisation of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur as part of heightened security measures to ensure the safe movement of pilgrims.
Authorities have put in place multi-layered security arrangements and logistical support across the Yatra route to facilitate the smooth and secure conduct of the annual pilgrimage. (JKNS)