Three more Amarnath pilgrims die; toll 39 since June 11

Srinagar, July 17 (UNI) Three more Amarnath pilgrims died today, taking the toll to 39, since the commencement of the two-month pilgrimage to the holy cave since June 11, official sources said today.

They said 60-year-old Devash Banerjee, a resident of Kolkata, died at Panjtherni due to heart failure this morning.

Another yatri Vishwaswamy Anjum (52), a resident of Azamgrah, Uttar Pradesh died at Sheshnag while an unidentified sadhu died near the holy cave shrine, sources said.

With these deaths, the toll has risen to 39 since the commencement of the two-month-long pilgrimage to the holy cave on June 11.

Meanwhile, about 8000 yatris, highest so far in a single day, left Pahalgam, Baltal and by helicopter for the shrine earlier in the day.

Sources said 5,551 pilgrims, including women and children and a large number of sadhus, left via traditional Pahalgam route while 2471 from Baltal and 154 visited the holy cave by helicopter in the day.

About 1.30 lakh pilgrims from all over the country and abroad had 'darshan' of the 'Shivlingam' in the cave shrine despite threat perception and 'icelingam' controversy.

UNI BAS PA BST1621