Amarnath yatra resumes via Batal after rain-forced halt

The pilgrimage resumed SaturdayJAMMU: The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed Saturday from Jammu after a six-day suspension forced by rain-caused disruptions, with a fresh batch of over 6,269 pilgrims leaving for the Kashmir cave shrine.The batch, 18th since the yatra started July 3, was flagged off in a convoy of 223 vehicles. “In view of inclement weather, authorities permitted movement of pilgrims only through Baltal, while the traditional Pahalgam route remains closed as a precaution,” an official said.The yatra was suspended on July 19 after heavy rainfall, landslides and unfavourable weather across J&K disrupted both routes -- Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal --leading to the 3,880-metre high Amarnath cave shrine.Officials said the pilgrimage resumed after weather con