SASB evacuates Amarnath pilgrim by helicopter

Srinagar, July 3 (UNI) The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) today said it organised a chartered heli-service to Panjtharni, the last halting point enroute the holy cave shrine, on Saturday to evacuate a pilgrim for specialised treatment at Baltal.

This is the second time during the ongoing pilgrimage that an ailing patient was lifted from the route for immediate treatment, an SASB spokesman said.

Vipin Verma of Chandigarh was immediately rushed to the health centre at the base camp for specialised treatment, to which he responded, he added.

The spokesman said the SASB was paying around Rs 30,000 to Himalyan Heli Service for the chartered flight. Similar flights were arranged last year as well to evacuate ailing pilgrims from various points enroute the holy cave shrine to Srinagar or Baltal, he added.

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