Jammu, June 18 -- With barely a fortnight left for the commencement of the 57-day annual Amarnath pilgrimage to the South Kashmir Himalayas, the decks have been cleared for the trek of faith. Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 last year that left 26 tourists and a local guide dead at the Baisaran meadow, this time around the ministry of home affairs has deployed 670 companies of paramilitary forces. The deployment of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police has started along the Pathankot-Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) and at various transit camps.

Around 3.65 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves so far for this year's pilgrimage.

Critical 34-km stretch

Ramban-based Central Rese...