SRINAGAR : Two minors were killed and seven others, including four locals, are missing after a cloudburst struck near Baltal, base camp of holy Amarnath cave shrine in the central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district in the wee hours today.
However, the pilgrims have been shifted to safer places. Ten people were injured, one of them critically in the incident, defence ministry spokesperson Colonel N N Joshi said.
The cloudburst occurred at 0030 hrs near Baltal base camp washing away a number of tents and shops where some labourers and service providers were sleeping.
He said the cloudburst struck at Baltal, resulting in, on the spot death of a 13-year-old girl Pooja and 12-year-old Vikram, both residents of Rajasthan.
Colonel Joshi said the condition of an unidentified person, who was found unconscious near the site, was very critical. Nine people got injured, 12 shops have been washed away due to cloudburst, he added.
He said the launched a massive rescue mission to save Amarnath Yatris trapped in landslide at Baltal.
The Landslide had occured at three places between Baltal gate and Rangamor. 19 Garhwal Unit and one Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of 24 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) has reached Sonamarg alongwith rescue parties from Gagangir Camp.
Work to clear landslide as well as site where road got blocked near fishpond has commenced, Col Joshi said adding 780 people have been shifted to Army camp and 1,500 Yatris shifted to Bhandvas.
He said those injured were identified Maiser Ahmed, resident of Shopian in south Kashmir, Anil Sahu, resident of Indore (MP) Ashaq Sahid Mir, Reyaz Ahmed Lone, son both resident of Kangan, Mustaq Ahmed, resident of Reasi, Jammu, Ramdevi, resident of Rajasthan and Fayaz Ahmed Mir, resident of Kupwara. (AGENCIES)
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