The Yatra that began a day after twin terror attacks in the state is being constantly monitored by the security forces.
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Meanwhile Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to review the security scenario in the state as well as arrangements for Amarnath Yatra.
Reports from Pahalgam and Baltal said that thousands of worshippers have already arrived at these base-camps and are eager to begin their journeys towards the cave-shrine as early as possible.
The poster boy of Kashmir militancy, Burhan Wani, has said in a recently released video on the social media that the militants will not harm the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims as they are coming here for purely religious reasons.
Eight CRPF personnel were killed and at least 21 others injured when two militants attacked its CRPF convoy at Pampore in Pulwama district on June 25.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh was seen flagging off the first batch of annual Amarnath Yatra from Jammu.
Similarly, the base camps in Baltal and Pahalgam remain vulnerable due to presence of tourists in the area. “Rajnath Singh assured of positive outcomes on the issues of opening of more LoC routes for trade, giving permission to foreigners to visit Ladakh including Nubra Valley, quick resolution of land related issues and increasing ex gratia payment to families of martyred police personnel”, officials said.
As an increased security measure, drones have been inducted for aerial security and crowd management at Amarnath base camp in Jammu winter capital city. Also, columns of Army have been requisitioned by the authorities to strengthen the security cover for the pilgrimage, official sources here said.
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Two private chopper companies fly yatris from Nilgrath helipad of the Baltal base camp to the cave.
