Pahalgam, July 2 -- The people of South Kashmir welcomed the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims on Wednesday, weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, mostly tourists, after religious profiling. The 45-day pilgrimage will commence on July 3.

The pilgrims were received with warmth and enthusiasm at the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund as they made their way toward the holy shrine. Locals line up at the tunnel early in the morning.

While speaking to ANI about the positive shift in the region's atmosphere, a local from South Kashmir said, "We are happy that devotees are visiting Kashmir for the first time after the Pahalgam attack. The youth here is happy. We are glad that we got this opportunity to welcome them ...