Landslide Near Adhkuwari on holy Mata Vaishno Devi Track; Several Pilgrims Injured in Rescue Operation Underway

Katra 26 August :- A landslide struck a critical section of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage track on Tuesday, resulting in multiple injuries and triggering a large-scale rescue operation. The incident occurred near the popular ‘Inderprastha Bhojnalaya’ (restaurant) in the densely populated Adhkuwari area, a key midway point for millions of devotees annually. Initial reports suggest that several pilgrims were injured as rocks and debris came sliding down the hillside, creating a scene of panic and chaos.

Security forces, including the police and personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed for the pilgrimage’s security, immediately sprang into action. They are currently engaged in a critical effort to extract injured pilgrims from under the rubble and evacuate them to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.Heavy Rain and the challenging terrain are posing significant difficulties for the rescue teams, who are working tirelessly with required manpower and machinery to clear the area and ensure no one is left trapped.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the body responsible for managing the pilgrimage, officially confirmed the incident through a post on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). In their statement, the Board said, “A landslide incident has occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, some injuries are feared. Rescue operations are underway along with required manpower and machinery.”