Jammu, July 2 -- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today flagged off the first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra devotees to the holy cave here from Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp.
In the first batch, 4,822 pilgrims set off for the yatra of in a convoy of 259 light and heavy vehicles amid tight security arrangements for the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam.
A total of 2,510 pilgrims are travelling via the traditional Pahalgam route, while 2,312 have opted for the shorter Baltal route. The first batch comprises 3,707 male pilgrims, 816 female pilgrims, 16 children, 246 sadhus and 37 sadhvis.
The convoy includes 106 buses, 39 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 111 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and three two-wheelers.
Lieutenant Govern...