Largest batch of pilgrims leaves for Amarnath amid high security

Largest batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left Jammu for Pahalgam and Baltal amid high security on Wednesday morning.

This came two days after terror attack on pilgrims, killing seven of them in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile,  defence experts on Wednesday said the terror attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims took place due to intelligence failure and security lapse.

"There was intelligence failure and security lapse and terrorist had all the inputs on the movements of this vehicle. The sad thing is, after carrying out the attack, they successfully fled from that place," defence expert P K Sehgal told ANI.

He further said the perpetrator would be taken to task and dealt with in next couple of days.

Condemning the attack, defence expert Rahul Jalali said, "The attack was truly a blot on Kashmiri's face. However, there is ray of hope as locals have protested against the attack."

The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti granted ex gratia of Rs 6 lakh to the next of kin killed in the attack.

Apart from this, Rs 2 lakh will be given to the grievously injured and Rs 1 lakh to the one who sustained minor injury.

Separately, Governor N N Vohra, Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has announced relief of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the incident, Rs 1.5 lakh with grievous injuries and Rs 75,000 minor injuries pilgrims. -- ANI

IMAGE: Security personnel frisk the yatris and the locals before they head towards the holy cave shrine following the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, at Nuwun base Camp in South Kashmir. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo