Jammu: The first batch of 3,061 pilgrims left Jammu early on July 9 for the cave shrine of Amarnath amidst tight security.

Comprising 2,377 men, 394 women, 59 children and 231 sadhus, the first batch left from the main lodging centre of Maulana Azad Stadium around 6.00 am (IST) despite a drizzle.

Chanting slogans "bham bham bhole" and "jai baba barfani", the pilgrims left in a fleet of 177 vehicles, including 56 buses and 115 light motor vehicles.

They were escorted by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troops and state police contingents, officials said, adding no vehicle carrying Amarnath pilgrims will be allowed to proceed separately for security reasons.

The route from Jammu to Banihal and onwards to the base camp at Nunwan in Pahalgam has been sanitised, officials said, adding security forces had also been put on alert around the main highway to foil any attempts at mischief.

Security operations are also going on in the higher reaches to track down the ultras, who might make forays to disturb the yatra, officials said.

Earlier, there was chaos as hundreds of devotees clashed with the local administration over permission to embark from Jammu for the annual pilgrimage.

The situation, which was marked by altercation with Shiv Sainiks arose as only those pilgrims were allowed to be part of the first 'jatha', whose allotted date of 'darshan' is July 12. However, those with registration cards for later dates have also converged in Jammu.

"We are yatris, not terrorists, and will proceed for Pahalgam (base camp) in accordance with our plans," pramukh of Shiv Sena, Punjab, Vijay Kapoor, said.

PTI