Two Amarnath pilgrims die in Anantnag road mishap; toll rises to 17

Two Amarnath pilgrims died and five others were injured on Monday in a road accident at Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a police official said.

A volunteer also died due to cardiac arrest at Sheshnag, taking the death toll in this year’s pilgrimage to as many as 17.

The deceased were on their way to Srinagar from Jammu, when a private vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Zig Morh in Qazigund area, the police official said.

While one pilgrim, Surinder Sindha from Ludhiana, died on the spot, another pilgrim Vinod Kumar succumbed to injuries while he was being taken to a hospital. 

Five others—four pilgrims and the driver of the vehicle - have been admitted to a hospital here, he said.

Also Read | Amarnath Yatra: Five killed, three injured in landslide on Baltal route in Jammu and Kashmir 

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old sevadar (volunteer), who was working at a community kitchen at Sheshnag, died due to cardiac arrest, the official said. The deceased has been identified as Ajay, a resident of Meerut, the police said.

This year’s Ámarnath pilgrimage started on 28 June. Since then, owing to inclement weather, many suffered road damage and other problems. However, the stranded pilgrims were being rescued.