Jammu: As the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 continued under tight security arrangements, 8,150 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Base Camp in Jammu for the holy cave shrine on Thursday, while authorities took strict action against a police personnel for alleged duty negligence and reported the death of a woman pilgrim at the base camp.
According to officials, Thursday’s batch comprised 6,095 men, 2,037 women, 15 children and three transgender pilgrims. The pilgrims departed in two escorted groups, with 3,445 pilgrims travelling towards the Baltal base camp in 168 vehicles, while 4,705 pilgrims proceeded via the traditional Pahalgam route in 166 vehicles.
The pilgrims were accompanied by security personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other agencies as part of the multi-layer security arrangements for the ongoing pilgrimage.
With Thursday’s departure, 52,816 pilgrims have so far left the Jammu base camp for Kashmir since the commencement of the yatra on July 2. Officials said more than 1.45 lakh devotees have already paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva this year.
Meanwhile, in Anantnag, SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure, IPS, disengaged a Special Police Officer (SPO) from service for allegedly failing to report for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra duty.
The disengaged SPO was identified as Shabir Ahmad Ganie, son of Abdul Hamid Ganie, a resident of Primegam Hiller Shahabad, Dooru.
Police said the SPO was assigned duty for the annual pilgrimage but did not report at his designated deployment location. He allegedly neither joined duty nor sought prior permission or provided any valid reason for his absence.
Taking serious note of the alleged negligence during a sensitive security deployment, SSP Anantnag ordered his immediate disengagement, stating that discipline and professionalism are mandatory during high-security operations like the Amarnath Yatra.
Anantnag Police reiterated that any dereliction of duty would invite strict action, while sincere and committed personnel would continue to be recognised and encouraged.
In another incident, a woman pilgrim died after being found unconscious at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Base Camp in Jammu.
The deceased was identified as Geeta Devi, wife of Kalu and a resident of Uttar Pradesh. Officials said she was immediately shifted by ambulance to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, where she succumbed during treatment.
Her body has been kept in the GMC Jammu mortuary for post-mortem examination and completion of legal formalities. Police have initiated proceedings to ascertain the exact cause of death.
The 57-day Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 will conclude on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
