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

At least five pilgrims were killed and three others injured in a landslide on the Baltal route of the Amarnath Yatra in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday night.

"A landslide hit between Railpatri and Brarimarg on the Baltal route. Five people -- four men and a woman -- were killed, while three others were injured," PTI quoted a police official as saying.

The identities of the deceased and the injured were yet to be ascertained and the bodies were being brought to the Baltal base hospital, the official said.

Police and other security forces and rescue agencies were on the job, the official said, adding medical response teams were fully alert.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his sorrow over the deaths of precious lives due to the landslide.

"Anguished beyond words on the loss of precious lives due to a landslide on the Baltal route of Shri Amarnathji Yatra. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and my prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," Rajnath tweeted.

Over 5,000 pilgrims from across the country had reached to the state to participate in the yatra to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayas of militancy-hit south Kashmir.

The yatra was started from Baltal base camp in Jammu from June 28. The pilgrims, however, faced disruption at regular interval due to rains and inclement weather situation.

The Valley has been receiving incessant rainfall for the last few days. The downpour triggered flood situation in several districts of Kashmir, including Anantnag, where Jhelum river was flowing above the critical mark.

(With inputs from PTI)