India Hindu pilgrimage begins in contested Kashmir

India’s annual Amarnath pilgrimage began in Kashmir under tight security following a deadly April attack that killed 26 Hindu tourists near Pahalgam. The attack, blamed by New Delhi on Pakistan, escalated into a four-day conflict—the worst India-Pakistan standoff since 1999—with over 70 casualties before a ceasefire on May 10. Despite initial fears, pilgrims expressed confidence in the enhanced safety measures, including 45,000 troops, facial recognition cameras, and electronic tracking. The pilgrimage, which involves a trek to a high-altitude cave housing a sacred ice formation representing Lord Shiva, has grown significantly since 1989 and now attracts hundreds of thousands. Authorities report a 10% dip in registration this year, but public confidence is said to be returning. Rebels have stated the pilgrimage is not a target unless used to assert Hindu dominance. The event runs until August 9, with ongoing efforts to locate the perpetrators of the April attack.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/india-hindu-pilgrimage-kashmir-pakistan-5218071