Srinagar:
The annual Amarnath Yatra kicked off today amid tight security. Pilgrims from both Baltal and Pahalgam base camps started their journey for the 3880-metre-high cave shrine.
The first batch of pilgrims began the 45-km trek from traditional Pahalgam route, and 13-km from Baltal simultaneously, early today.
Elaborate security arrangements have been put made for the 55-day pilgrimage after intelligence inputs that militants might attempt to target pilgrims.
State police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed all along the twin routes to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims, they said.
For the first time, the access control agencies are carrying out thorough checks of the pilgrims and their documentation before allowing them to proceed.
More than 4,000 pilgrims proceeding towards Baltal base camp were turned back from Manigam in Kangan area of Ganderbal district.
"We have turned back over 4,000 pilgrims who were either without registration permits or had permits for a later date," DIG Police central Kashmir Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba said.
Mujtaba said there will be no laxity on this account and the Supreme Court order in this regard will be implemented in letter and spirit.
Supreme Court had issued guidelines for the Amarnath Yatra this year after a PIL was filed in July 2012 following a large number of deaths during last year's pilgrimage.