Srinagar, Jun 30 (KNS): As the first batch of Amarnath yatris arrived in Kashmir, top police officials of the state today personally monitored the security arrangements on the highway for smooth travel of the pilgrims.

Officials said that government has made elaborate security deployment and arrangements for safety of the pilgrims to the holy cave in Pahalgam.

Officials said that security was deployed along the route from Highway upto Baltal in Sonamarg and Pahalgam.

Earlier, on the visit to Kashmir union home minister Amit Shah had directed the state security agencies to ensure incident free Yatra and safety of the pilgrims.

Officials said that Director General of Police, JK, Dilbgah Singh, IGP Kashmir S P Pani and other senior police officials monitored the arrival of the yatris on the Highway at Jawahar Tunnel.

DGP Dilbagh Singh told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that tight security arrangements have been made on the highway and other routes which take yatris to the holy cave.

“The first batch has arrived safely. All security arrangements have been made already and we hope Yatra will go smoothly this year. The national highway and other routes have been sensitized with security arrangements for safe travel of the pilgrims,” DGP said.

Yatra movement has been largely peaceful in Kashmir from years barring the attack on yatris in Anantnag two years ago in which eight pilgrims were killed. (KNS)