Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 6: Pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra have lauded the security forces and arrangements along the Pahalgam route, saying they feel safe and supported in their spiritual journey to the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnath Ji.
Siddharth Agrawal, a first-time pilgrim, credited the armed forces for ensuring their safety and boosting their morale. “We thought the number of devotees would be less because of the recent incident. But that is not the case. The armed forces are working hard for us. We may not have had the courage to come here had it not been for the security forces. We are roaming around freely because they are standing here with guns. I salute the CRPF and the J&K Police,” he told.
Nilesh Upadhyay, undertaking the yatra for the 13th time, echoed similar sentiments, praising the peace and good arrangements.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday that approximately 26,000-27,000 pilgrims have undertaken the Amarnath Yatra since it commenced on July 2, dispelling fears that enthusiasm would decline after the recent terrorist attack near Pahalgam.
“The misconception that the enthusiasm of pilgrims would decrease after the Pahalgam terrorist attack has been dispelled. People have confidence that with Prime Minister Modi in charge, there will be no shortcomings in the security arrangements,” Singh said, highlighting the robust turnout of pilgrims as a testament to the government’s efforts.
He noted that pilgrims from across India and abroad are participating, underscoring broad faith in the arrangements.
Security has been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir, including Udhampur, as the yatra progresses via the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The Jammu-Srinagar Highway remains a key route for thousands of devotees heading to the holy site.
Earlier, authorities set up 17 medical camps at langar sites, established mini hospitals, and deployed ambulances across Ramban district as the 38-day pilgrimage commenced, weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.