Amarnath yatra suspended by a day

JAMMU: The Amarnath yatra has been suspended for a day in view of the heavy rains lashing in areas lying en route to the cave shrine.

According to official sources, the pilgrims are not being allowed to undertake the yatra from the Jammu base camp to the Amarnath shrine due to the bad weather and blockade of Jammu-Srinagar-Sonamargh-Baltal Road.

The first batch is likely to begin its journey tomorrow as no fresh dates have been announced.

Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan spokesperson Madan Mantoo said that Governor Lt General (retd) S K Sinha will visit the shrine today.

Tight security arrangements have been made for the annual pilgrimage. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is in Jammu to review the security arrangements for the yatra

Lakhs of Hindus from across the country are expected to visit the revered shrine this year.

The Amarnath Cave is about 12,500 feet above sea level and 141 kilometres from Srinagar.

Militants have targeted the annual pilgrimage in the past. In 2002, eight Hindu pilgrims were killed in an attack on the Nunwan camp in Pahalgam. (ANI)