JAMMU, July 4 -- A third batch of 6,411 pilgrims began their journey from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Friday morning to participate in the annual Amarnath Yatra, officials said.

The pilgrims - including 4,723 men, 1,071 women, 37 children, and 580 sadhus and sadhvis - departed in two convoys comprising 291 vehicles. Escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the groups left for the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam at 3:15 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.

Of the latest batch, 3,622 pilgrims took the 48-kilometre traditional Pahalgam route in 138 vehicles, while 2,789 pilgrims were ferried via the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route in 153 vehicles.

Since Wednesday, when the 38-day pilgrimage was flagged off by Lieutenant Gov...