SRINAGAR/ JAMMU: The terror attack at Batengoo in Anantnag district of J&K has refused to dampen the spirits of Amarnath yatris with more devotees leaving for the cave shrine on Tuesday compared to Monday.Chanting `Bam Bam Bhole', 3289 pilgrims left the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu amid tight security in the early hours for Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in 105 buses. In comparison, less than 2500 yatris had arrived in 75 buses on Monday, sources said.While half of the yatris will set out on an arduous trek taking the traditional route from Pahalgam, the others will take the shorter trek from Baltal.Sources said the number of pilgrims leaving Yatri Niwas is likely to go up on Wednesday. "A batch of 3716 pilgrims, including 764 women, 417 sadhus and 41 children is set to leave on Wednesday morning," said an official.Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board CEO Umang Narula said by 10.30 am, 18,838 pilgrims who were lodged in the camps at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni and Baltal had left for the cave shrine. "The yatra is progressing smoothly and the terror attack has not dampened the spirits of the pilgrims," he said.J&K governor N N Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Board, convened an emergency meeting to review the yatra security in the morning. "It was decided that the pilgrimage shall continue without any diminution whatsoever and this decision was conveyed to all camp directors and to the Yatri Niwas, Jammu, from where pilgrims leave for the valley in a convoy every morning," a spokesperson said.The pilgrims lodged at the Yatri Niwas said Monday's terror attack will not deter them from visiting the cave shrine. "Such attacks will only strengthen our faith. The terrorists cannot discourage us," said Lokesh Verma from Gwalior.

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