One Amarnath pilgrim falls to death; toll 40 since June 11

Srinagar, July 18 (UNI) One Amarnath pilgrim from Haryana fell to death near the holy cave shrine today, official sources said.

With this the total toll since the commencement of the two-month pilgrimage to the holy cave since June 11, has risen to 40. A Majority of the pilgrims died due to heart failure.

The sources said a 23-year-old Anil Pal, son of Moon Chand, resident of 208, Goldpora Haryana, died when he fell from a hilltop near the shrine this morning.

His body was brought to Baltal, sources said.

They said despite rains near the cave periphery, the yatra was going on smoothly from the shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam routes.

So far about 1.40 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 ASM PKS RK1912