One Amarnath pilgrim die; toll reaches 41

Srinagar, July 19 (UNI) One Amarnath pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh died at Pantherni last night, official sources said.

With this, the total toll since the commencement of the two-month pilgrimage to the holy cave on June 11, has risen to 41. Majority of the pilgrims died due to heart failure.

The sources said Keshav Ropal, son of late Purshotam Ropal, resident of Arjun Nagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, suffered a massive heart attack at Panjtherni last night.

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

So far, about 2.50 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 KD VA BST1406