J&K Police issues advisory for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday issued an advisory for the 52-day long annual Amarnath Yatra, the first batch for which will leave Friday morning.

According to the advisory, “No yatri or tourist will be allowed to cross the Navyug tunnel towards Kashmir after 1500 hours (3 pm)”. Similarly, “The last vehicle to cross Walnut Factory, Qazigund towards Navyug Tunnel must do so by 1730 hours (5.30 pm)”. The advisory asked the yatris and tourists to “travel in Kashmir Valley between 7 am and 6 pm’’. It said: “After 1800 hours, no further movement is allowed, and the vehicles will be directed to the nearest Yatri or Security Forces camp”.

The first batch of pilgrims will leave the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu Friday morning. While the traditional Chandanwari route is 48 km, the Baltal route is only 14 km but considered difficult due to its steep height.

The J&K Police has put in place a three-tier security system in and around the Amarnath base camp at Bhagwati Nagar. Jammu SSP Dr Vinod Kumar said: “Adequate security arrangements have been made for the yatra. The Quick Reaction Teams have been activated, high-rise buildings dominated, and the security machinery is in place.”