Yatri from MP dies, toll touches 44

Srinagar, Jul 18 : With the death of one more pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh (MP), the death toll during the annual pilgrimage so far has risen to 44 since the commencement of the 40-day annual yatra to the holy Amarnath cave shrine since June 29. However, 16 pilgrims have died due to medical reasons, while 28 lost their lives in militant attack and accidents. A 60-year-old Bishen Singh, a resident of MP, who was admitted to S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in an injured condition after being hit by a shooting stone at Baltal base camp, died early this morning. Of the 44 deaths, 16 have died due to medical reasons while 8 were killed and another 18 others injured in a militant attack on July 10 in south Kashmir district of Anantnag on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. As many as 17 pilgrims were killed in a road accident after a bus in which they were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar fell into a deep gorge in Ramban. Three others died in shooting stone incidents. Meanwhile, a pilgrim from Telangana died due to a cylinder blast at Veesu-Mir Bazar, Qazigund, outside the yatra area and two people, an ITBP personnel and an ISRO Technician died before the start of yatra due to cardiac failures. UNI