A fresh batch of 2,906 pilgrims on Thursday proceeded to the cave shrine of Amarnath from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, a day after authorities suspended the yatra due to 'heavy rush at base camps in Kashmir'.
"The batch that includes 677 women and 118 children left in 88 vehicles from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp at around 0510 hours," officials said in Jammu.
The pilgrim's cavalcade is expected to reach the base camps at Nunwan and Baltal in Kashmir by Thursday evening, they said, adding some security personnel were escorting the batch in the wake of threats from militants.
With Thursday's batch, as many as 22,957 pilgrims have left the base camp in Jammu for the hill temple since commencement of the pilgrimage on June 17.
The yatra from Bhagwati Nagar base camp was suspended on Wednesday, for the second time within a week. Although officials said the pilgrims were stopped at Jammu due to heavy rush at the base camps in Kashmir, sources said the prevailing law-and-order situation in the wake of violent protests across Kashmir Valley prompted authorities to stop the pilgrims as a precautionary measure.
Earlier, on June 20, the march from Jammu was suspended due to bad weather and heavy rains across the valley.
Meanwhile, pilgrims continue to throng the cave shrine located in south Kashmir Himalayas, the sources said, adding authorities have been making arrangements for their stay in community halls, schools and dharamshalas across the city.
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