10 more die on way to Amarnath shrine, toll crosses 50

Nine pilgrims and a Muslim porter, most of whom suffered cardiac arrest, died on the twin tracks leading to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine of Amarnath over the past two days, they said.

Raj Kumar (51) of Punjab and Kunal Daramveer (26) of Gujarat died at Sonamarg and Sangam, respectively, along the shortest Batal route in Ganderbal district this morning.
Four pilgrims - Bhai Patel (57) of Gujarat, Mahesh (38) of Karnataka, Mohan Dass (54) of Rajasthan and Sampat Lal (55) of Maharashtra - died at the holy cave and Sheshnag along the traditional 42-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district late last night, officials said.
They said a Muslim porter and three other unidentified pilgrims were found dead at different halting stations on the twin routes early yesterday.

While 26 persons died along the Baltal route, 25 others breathed their last between Pahalgam and the cave shrine, officials said, adding, the deceased included four Muslims who were working as guides.

The 46-day annual yatra started on June 29 and so far 3.25 lakh pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the cave shrine, housing the naturally formed 'ice-shivlingam'.

Meanwhile, over 22,000 pilgrims left for the cave shrine from Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam base camps this morning.

While 12,365 pilgrims preferred Baltal route, another batch of 10,290 pilgrims were allowed from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, the sources said adding the yatra was progressing smoothly.