The Amarnath Yatra has officially started, with the first batch of devotees departing from the Nunwan Pahalgam base camp. The pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine, situated at 3,880 meters in the South Kashmir Himalayas, is proceeding with enhanced security protocols following a recent terror attack in the Pahalgam area. The journey offers two routes: the established 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter, yet steeper, 14-km Baltal route. Despite the backdrop of the attack, a significant number of pilgrims have embarked on their spiritual endeavor. The authorities have implemented a comprehensive three-tier security system, with a substantial presence of security forces in Pahalgam and along the highway. Advanced security features include AI-powered facial recognition, real-time tracking via RFID tags, and constant surveillance using CCTV cameras and drones.
