Srinagar, Aug 5: Authorities on Wednesday suspended the movement of Shri Amarnath Yatra convoys along the Jammu-Baltal route as part of precautionary security measures on the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, officials said.
They said no convoy carrying pilgrims was allowed to leave Jammu for the Baltal base camp during the day. Similarly, return convoys from Baltal to Jammu were also withheld as part of the security protocol.
However, the pilgrimage itself continued without interruption for devotees who had already reached the Baltal base camp. Such pilgrims were permitted to undertake the onward trek to the holy Amarnath cave shrine for darshan according to the scheduled arrangements, the officials said.
The suspension of convoy movement was described as a temporary precaution in view of the enhanced security measures across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.
A multi-layered security grid has been put in place across the Union Territory, with intensified checking on highways and increased deployment of security personnel at vulnerable locations.
Officials said the restrictions were limited to the movement of fresh and return Yatra convoys and were aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims during the heightened security period. They added that the annual pilgrimage is continuing in a regulated manner and normal convoy movement is expected to resume after the precautionary measures are lifted.(KNS)
