In Jammu and Kashmir, the annual Amarnath yatra began today amid tight security. The first batch of 2,298 devotees left Jammu base camp for pilgrimage to the 13,500 meter-high cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas.

With CRPF keeping strict vigil, a cavalcade of 64 vehicles carrying the pilgrims was flagged off by Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora from Amarnath Base camp at Bagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas Jammu around 5:00 AM.