The 13th batch of pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra-2026 left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu during the early hours of Tuesday under multi-layer security arrangements, with 5,335 devotees proceeding towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir.According to the Joint Police Control Room (JPCR), the Baltal axis convoy departed at 2:42 a.m., while the Pahalgam axis convoy rolled out at 3:10 a.m. under the escort of Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and other security agencies.
Of the total pilgrims, 1,736 were bound for the Baltal route and 3,599 opted for the traditional Pahalgam route. The yatris included 3,911 men, 1,288 women, 21 children, 90 sadhus, 24 sadhvis and one transgender pilgrim.
The convoy comprised 232 vehicles, including 138 buses, 36 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 57 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and one two-wheeler. While 99 vehicles moved towards Baltal, 133 vehicles proceeded to Pahalgam.
With the departure of the latest batch, the cumulative number of pilgrims who have left Bagwati Nagar Jammu for the cave shrine this year has reached 93,036, reflecting the steady flow of devotees participating in the ongoing annual pilgrimage.
Authorities have maintained elaborate security arrangements all along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, including key transit points such as Chanderkote, Ramban and Banihal, to ensure the safe and smooth movement of the Yatra convoys. Traffic restrictions and regulated convoy movement continue to remain in force as part of the security protocol.
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is proceeding peacefully under tight security, with civil administration, police, CRPF, SDRF, health services and other departments working round the clock to facilitate the pilgrimage.
