SRINAGAR: District administrations across Kashmir on Thursday extended a warm welcome to the first batch of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 pilgrims at key transit camps and base camps, while reviewing security and civic arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
At Panthachowk in Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo and Senior Superintendent of Police Sundeep Chakravarthy received the pilgrims and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey. Senior officers from the district administration, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and the Police Department were present. The Deputy Commissioner said comprehensive arrangements, including security, accommodation, sanitation, healthcare and other essential services, had been put in place for the Yatra. The pilgrims appreciated the hospitality and facilities provided by the administration.
In Anantnag, the first batch of pilgrims travelling via the Pahalgam route reached the Nunwan Base Camp, where they were welcomed by Deputy Commissioner and Yatra Officer Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Senior Superintendent of Police Amod Ashok Nagpure, Camp Director Atul Kumar and other senior civil and police officers. Earlier, the pilgrims were received at the Walnut Factory Transit Camp in Qazigund with flower showers and assistance regarding accommodation, langars and other services. The administration said comprehensive arrangements, including healthcare, transportation, sanitation, drinking water and essential supplies, had been made for the pilgrims, who expressed satisfaction with the facilities.
At the Shadipora Transit Camp in Bandipora, Deputy Inspector General of Police, North Kashmir Range, Dr Vinod Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib and Senior Superintendent of Police Ajaz Ahmad Zargar welcomed the pilgrims with flowers and interacted with them. Earlier, the officers inspected accommodation, sanitation, healthcare, drinking water, electricity, traffic management and security arrangements, directing departments to maintain close coordination throughout the pilgrimage. The pilgrims appreciated the arrangements made for their convenience.
The first batch of pilgrims also arrived at the Baltal Base Camp in Ganderbal, where they were received by Deputy Commissioner Jatin Kishore, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Armed) Kashmir Maqsood-ul-Zaman, Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhanshu Dhama, the Camp Director, senior civil and police officers and members of the local community. The Deputy Commissioner said extensive arrangements, including round-the-clock medical facilities, emergency response teams, sanitation, drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, communication services, traffic management, security deployment and dedicated help desks, had been put in place to facilitate the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, the Kulgam district administration welcomed the first batch of pilgrims at the Navyug Tunnel. Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Alam, accompanied by district officers and members of civil society, greeted the devotees and wished them a safe, smooth and spiritually fulfilling journey. The administration reiterated its commitment to providing all necessary assistance for the successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
