Srinagar: A 63-year-old pilgrim from Rajasthan died due to cardiac arrest at Baltal base camp in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, a yatra official said on Monday.

He said Parhlad Rai, son of Chothmal Jeengar, resident of Rajasthan suffered a massive cardiac arrest near the cave shrine. However, he was immediately rushed to nearby medical camp where he was declared brought dead.

With this a total of 19 pilgrims besides two sevadars and as many security force personnel deployed on yatra duty enroute the cave have died so far since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage to holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from July 1. About 30 others have also suffered injuries due to shooting stones and other causes during the pilgrimage. Majority deaths occurred due to cardiac arrest.

All pilgrims are required to get a fitness certificate issued from a doctor before undertaking the pilgrimage to the shrine located at an altitude of 3,888 metres. However, every registered yatri is getting Rs 3 lakh insurance cover from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

So far 2.72 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine since July 1st. The yatra will conclude on August 15. (Agencies)