Two women among 7 injured in landslide at Vaishnodevi Yatra route

A pilgrim was killed, and six others, including two women, were injured when a massive landslide struck at Banganga on the old trek route to the Vaishnodevi cave shrine in the Reasi district of Jammu on Monday. Army troops have launched a rescue operation.

Troops of the Indian Army were assisting the civil authorities in the relief and rescue operations.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is chairman of the Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, is monitoring the situation.
The landslide was triggered by heavy rains that lashed the town of Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the shrine atop the Trikuta hills, officials said.

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The incident occurred around 8.50 am at Gulshan Ka Langar near Banganga, the starting point for the yatra, where mostly pony riders gather along the old track.

A rescue operation was launched immediately, and the trapped pilgrims were rescued and evacuated to the hospital at Katra, the officials said. The rescue operation was underway when the last reports came in.

The injured from different states have been identified as Rajinder Bhalla (70) Yamuna Nagar in Haryana; Leela Raikwar (56) Lalitpur in UP; K Radha (66) and Upan Radha (70), both from Chennai; Nikhil Thakur (26) Tirki; Suresh Kumar (66) Pimpri, Pune in Maharashtra; and Vicky Sharma (37) Dhanori, Katra.

The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army wrote on X, “In response to a landslide in the general area of Katra, troops of White Knight Corps were swiftly mobilised to assist in relief and rescue operations in collaboration with civil authorities. Immediate support was provided to the affected locals, showcasing the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to the people”.

“Rescue and support operations were currently in progress,” the Army said.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the tragic landslide incident at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in which a devotee lost his life and a few others were injured.

The Lieutenant Governor is closely monitoring the situation. He has directed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to provide the best possible medical care and support to the injured pilgrims.

The LG wrote on X, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic landslide incident at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in which a devotee unfortunately lost his life. Directed the Shrine Board to provide the best possible medical care and support to the injured pilgrims. I’m constantly monitoring the situation.”