Amarnath Yatra Suspended on Both Baltal & Pahalgam Routes; Rajnath Singh Cancels His Amarnath Shrine Visit

Jammu & Kashmir, July 5: The annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir has been halted along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes because of the poor condition of roads caused due to heavy rains, according to a Greater Kashmir report. This decision came following the death of three pilgrims and three injured in landslides in the previous evening. The route is witnessing heavy rains since a long time. A total of 60,752 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave thus far.

Since the pilgrimage started on June 28, the yatra has witnessed death of nine people, including a BSF officer and a palanquin lifter.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who is on a two-day tour to Srinagar had earlier plans of visiting the Amarnath shrine. However, according to a recent update,  Singh will not visit the Amarnath Cave Shrine due to inclement weather today.

The Home Minister will take a review of various developmental projects, security and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir before concluding his two-day visit, official sources said. On Twitter he had shared before landing in Jammu and Kashmir, "I am anguished beyond words on the loss of precious lives due to a landslide on the Baltal route. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and my prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2018 11:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).