Srinagar sources have stated that sixteen people who were on a pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine have died in an accident on Jammu Srinagar National Highway. The bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims or yatris fell into a gorge along the highway this afternoon. The nineteen people who have been injured are being airlifted to Jammu for treatment.
Sources have stated that the accident took place in Ramban along the highway. The bus, part of the official Amarnath Yatra convoy, skidded off the road and rolled down into a ravine. Senior Superintendent of Police in the region, Mohan Lal said that the rescue operation was underway.
According to sources the annual pilgrimage to Anantnag amid tight security
is scheduled to conclude on August 7. This year, the authorities have decided
to allow 7,500 pilgrims to visit each day and was added that the cave shrine is
located at a distance of 46 km from Pahalgam and 14 km from Baltal in the
state.
