Amidst tense situation due to the curfew imposed in the Valley, the annual Amarnath Yatra on Wednesday began under tight security cover with the first batch of 1,272 pilgrims leaving Jammu base camp for the cave shrine, located at 3,338 metre altitude, in south Kashmir Himalayas.

A cavalcade of 53 vehicles carrying the devotees under tight security was flagged off by Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora from Amarnath base camp at Bagwatinagar Yatri Niwas around 0500 hours. Security is being provided by CRPF, ITBT and Jammu and Kashmir police.