Thu Jul 03 01:57:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the information, written from an Indian perspective and drawing upon the various sections of *The Hindu*:

**Pilgrims Undeterred by Past Attacks Commence Amarnath Yatra Amidst Tight Security**

**Srinagar, July 3, 2025** – The annual Amarnath Yatra, a significant pilgrimage for Hindu devotees, has commenced with a strong show of faith and resilience, despite past security concerns. Over 5,200 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on Thursday, July 3rd, embarking on the journey to the Amarnath cave shrine in the South Kashmir Himalayas. This marks the second batch of pilgrims to leave for the shrine, bringing the total number of pilgrims departed from Jammu to 11,138 so far.

The 38-day Yatra, taking place along both the traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route, will culminate on August 9th. The pilgrimage holds immense religious significance, with devotees seeking blessings at the 3,880-metre-high shrine.

Amidst heightened security measures, the pilgrims, escorted by security police and central paramilitary forces, have expressed unwavering determination. Pilgrims like Harish Kumar and Mukhtar Singh emphasized their lack of fear in the face of terrorism. Kumar, referencing the Pahalgam attack, stated that such “cowardly acts” would not deter them from paying respects at Baba Barfani. Singh added that the increasing number of pilgrims will send a strong message of defiance to those seeking to disrupt the Yatra.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had flagged off the first batch of pilgrims on Wednesday. Authorities have implemented a multi-tier security setup around the Bhagwati Nagar base camp. Thirty-four accommodation centers and on-the-spot registration counters have been established in Jammu to facilitate the Yatra. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are also being issued to pilgrims for tracking and safety.

Over 3.5 lakh people have already registered online for the pilgrimage, reflecting the enduring faith and commitment of devotees to undertake this arduous journey. The Hindu will continue to provide updates on the Yatra, focusing on the experiences of pilgrims and the security measures in place to ensure their safety. This event highlights India’s commitment to religious freedom and security for its citizens amidst challenging circumstances.

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