Jammu, July 25: The sixth batch of nearly 2800 pilgrims left today for the holy cave shrine of Amarnath where over 26,000 devotees have performed darshan since the beginning of this years pilgrimage season.
The batch of 2366 men, 286 women, nine children and 182 sadhus left in 183 vehicles escorted by security forces, official sources said.
They said security at the Mam stadium, from where the pilgrims' vehicles leave, has been beefed up in view of yesterday's grenade blast at Anantnag bus stand in which 18 people were injured.
Security staff at the stadium and other halts along the Yatra route have been instructed to check vehicles and pilgrims thoroughly in view of intelligence inputs that militants may mix with pilgrims in the guise of sadhus to carry out subversive acts, the sources said.
They said pilgrims from various parts of the country were arriving in Jammu, much before their departure for the cave shrine, putting pressure on the administration.

About 61 vehicles carrying nearly 3000 pilgrims have so far returned to Jammu from the shrine, the sources said adding most of them had already left for their native places.

Bureau Report