Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: On 30th day of holy Amarnath yatra 1145 pilgrims paid obeisance to Ice Lingam in cave shrine in South Kashmir district of Anantang today.
With this the total number of pilgrims paying obeisance in cave shrine since the 48-day long Amarnath yatra started on July 2 has touched 2,13,967 in last 30 days. However, there was constant decline in yatra for last over two weeks after the Valley unrest following the killing of dreaded terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.
According to an official spokesman, 285 pilgrims reached Baltal from Jammu today and 1000 pilgrims left for holy cave for darshan from Baltal base camp via shortest track.
He said 223 pilgrims left for holy cave via traditional Chandanwari track out of them 193 left from Nunwan Base Camp. He said 12 passengers left from Pahalgam to holy cave by chopper while six returned by chopper after performing darshan at holy cave.
He said 353 pilgrims are staying at Nunwan Base Camp for night.
Meanwhile, a BSF jawan posted at Chandanwari transit camp died of cardiac arrest today. He has been identified as Daya Ram, 51, S/o Chidda Singh R/o Buland Shahar UP and his belt number is 169/BSF. He has been shifted to Pahalgam Hospital for postmortem. The dead body will be handed over to force tomorrow, the spokesman added. With this total 22 people died in ongoing yatra. They included 19 pilgrims one CRPF and BSF jawan each and a porter.
Besides, a local pony wala was critically injured when he met with an accident near the holy cave today official sources said.
He was identified as Touseef Ahmad Bhat. He was immediately rushed to nearby medical camp from where he was airlifted to SKIMS Soura in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 515 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here today for holy cave in a cavalcade of 13 vehicles under tight security arrangements. These pilgrims were on their way to base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal when last reports came in. They will leave for holy cave from two base camps tomorrow.
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