SRINAGAR: Pilgrimage resumes at Shiv Khori later in the afternoon after a brief halt when two pilgrims were killed by shooting stones, reports reaching from Reasi said. The cave shrine is the second major visited pilgrimage spot in Jammu after Vaishno Devi.
During the day, officials said, rolling stones hit a long queue that was waiting for their turn to get into the shrine. Two pilgrims were grievously hurt. They were identified as Sarwant Sahani (45) of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and Nirmal Singh (18) from Khawas village in Rajouri district. They were driven to the hospital but were declared brought dead.
In the same incident Ms Sahini’s brother, Sahib Sahani was injured. He is currently admitted to the hospital.
The accident brought an abrupt halt to the pilgrimage. However, a few hours later it was resumed.
“Deeply anguished by the loss of precious lives in a tragic incident at Shiv Khori. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. I pray for the early recovery of the injured”, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha said.
Shiv Khori, it may be recalled here, is a famous shrine devoted to lord Shiva and situated in between the hillocks. The cave shrine is home to the naturally formed Shivlingam.
A spokesman of the LT Governor Manoj Sinha said an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the Next of Kin of those who lost their lives in the tragic shooting stones incident at Shiv Khori in Reasi district. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each and the Government will bear the cost of their treatment.
