Amarnath cloudburst: ITBP says 15,000 pilgrims stranded near holy cave shifted to Panjtarni

New Delhi/Srinagar, July 09: At least 15,000 pilgrims who were left stranded near the Amarnath holy cave in Jammu and Kashmir, have now been shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni.

A flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave has reportedly swept away pilgrims, killing 16 and leaving at least 40 others injured. Rescue and relief operations led by the Indian Army have been on since then to save as many pilgrims as possible.

The border guarding force has also expanded its route opening and protection parties from lower part of the holy cave up to Panjtarni, an ITBP spokesperson has informed.

The yatra that began on June 30 has been suspended following the tragedy and a decision on its resumption will be taken after rescue operations get over, a senior administration official had said.

"Most of the yatris, who were stranded near holy cave area due to the flash flood that occurred last evening, have been shifted to Panjtarni. The evacuation continued till 3.38 am.

"No yatri is left on the track. About 15,000 people have been safely shifted till now," the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said.

A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said doctors and medical staff of the paramilitary force treated nine patients who were critically injured in the floods.

"They have been rescued to lower altitude Neelgrath base camp," he said.

A small BSF team is also deployed at the Neelgrath helipad to assist the pilgrims coming from the holy cave.

About 150 yatris stayed at the BSF camp created in Panjtarni on Friday night and 15 patients have been airlifted to Baltal on Saturday morning, he said.