The first batch of Amarnath pilgrims turned away from Jammu
Pilgrims gather at the Baltal base camp on July 2, 2026 and rest before heading to the Amarnath cave shrine, located 110 kilometers from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Photo credit: Imran Nissar
A year after the Pahalgam attack saw a drop in pilgrims, Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Gen. Manoj Sinha on Thursday (July 2, 2026) called off the first batch of devotees for the pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath cave from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.
Pilgrims started arriving at the two base camps of Nunwan in south Kashmir at Pahalgam and Sonmarg in Baltal, a day before the formal trek to the ice (stalagmite) lingam at an altitude of 3,880 meters.
“Yatra is a sacred journey where devotion meets spiritual awakening. I wish all devotees a safe, comfortable, blissful and spiritually fulfilling journey. May this holy pilgrimage bring immense joy and divine peace to all,” Mr. Sinha said, wishing the pilgrims.
Every year J&K Administration, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, J&K Police, Indian Army, Security Forces, local community and all stakeholders come together to make the yatra a success. However, the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead in April 2025 also affected the yatra later in the year.
The first batch of over 4,800 pilgrims embarked on the holy yatra in a convoy of 259 light and heavy vehicles, officials said.
J&K Minister for Transport, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma received the pilgrims at the Baltal base camp. “J&K Government is fully committed to ensure that safe, efficient and hassle-free services are provided to every pilgrim throughout the yatra. All departments and field functionaries are maintaining the highest level of vigilance, coordination and response so that any issue arising during the pilgrimage is resolved immediately,” he said.
A langar (community kitchen) provides free food to pilgrims at Baltal base camp, Jammu and Kashmir, July 2, 2026. | Photo credit: Imran Nissar
The Baltal route is a steep, 14 km long one-way trek. The Pahalgam route is a 34 km trek with the Mahagunas peak at 4,276 m.
Security on the yatra routes has been beefed up this year. Artificial intelligence and drones have been deployed to maintain vigilance.
J&K Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari conveyed his wishes to the devotees. “This annual pilgrimage has always been a shining symbol of the rich composite and inclusive culture of Jammu and Kashmir. It reflects our cherished values of faith, harmony, mutual respect and hospitality,” Mr. Bukhari said.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Muslim community, have always played a vital role in ensuring a safe, smooth and trouble-free conduct of the yatra, J&K party leader Apni said.
Published – 02 Jul 2026 22:42 IST