An otherwise religious and peaceful pilgrimage had taken a turn for the worse a tragedy has struck the pilgrims.
Tragedy hit the Amarnath yatra on Tuesday when five persons were killed and three others injured after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide at the Baltal-Amarnath cave shrine route.
The yatra has been suspended and massive rescue and relief operations have been launched to help other pilgrims, if any trapped, en route to the shrine.
“There has been a landslide between Brarimarg and Railpathri en route to the holy cave”, said Dr. Piyush Singla deputy commissioner of Ganderbal district.
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Police said four men and one woman were killed and three others were injured. “Three pilgrims died in landslides. Two others died due to a cardiac arrest earlier in the day,” said a police spokesman.
The identity of the deceased is being ascertained. “We do not know whether they are yatris or service providers,” said Singla.
Rains also triggered a minor flash flood in the parking area at the Baltal base camp.
Deputy Commissioner said all other yatris have been rescued. “The yatra has been suspended and we will allow the yatris possibly in the morning subject to that the trek is cleared,” he said.
Since the beginning of Yatra on June 28, 54833 Yatris have had darshan of the Holy Cave.
As of the start of Amarnath yatra, 2,11,994 pilgrims have registered themselves for the Yatra. This year, the Yatra commenced on June 28 and the 60-day pilgrimage will end on August 26.
Security measures have been taken keeping in mind the ceasefire violations and various other terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
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