Two Amarnath pilgrims have died and one is critical following major landslides triggered by rain on Tuesday evening in central Kashmir's Sonamarg area, which hosts the Baltal route to the cave shrive.
"Two bodies of the pilgrims have been brought to the Baltal base hospital. Of four others injured, one is critical," said a police spokesman.
At least five Amarnath pilgrims were hit by flash floods and landslides apparently caused by cloudbursts near Baltal area in the evening. The incident took place between Brari Marg and Rail Pathri stretch, said an official.
A major rescue operation was launched in the area by several teams of the police, ITBP, Army, CRPF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
The injured were shifted to Srinagar hospitals for "specialised treatment".
Earlier in the day, three pilgrims died at the Baltal and Pahalgam camps. Two died of cardiac arrest and one had slipped off the slope and succumbed to his injuries.
Eight people have died on the twin routes since the yatra started on June 28.
Around 18,467 pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine on Tuesday. Till date, 54,833 yatris have visited the shrine, said the official spokesman.
