Shooting stones force NH closure

Tribune News Service

Doda, July 28

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic due to shooting stones at various places between Ramban and Banihal stretch of the highway, falling in Ramban district of the state.

All types of vehicular movement on the highway was stopped, including the Amarnath yatra, after heavy rain lashed the region, due to which Panthal area witnessed shooting stones. Other places, including Battery Chashma, Digdol and Marog, witnessed landslides.

Few vehicles had a narrow escape while going through Panthal when the shooting stones fell close to them. After that, the authorities stopped the movement of traffic on the highway and the stranded vehicles were told to keep a close watch on landslides and shooting stones.

Meanwhile, about 2,000 pilgrims were stranded at the Jammu base camp and other areas of the city, as they were not allowed to move towards the Valley this morning.

“Yatris coming back from Pahalgam have been stopped at Shaitan nullah and Banihal, whereas no vehicle was allowed from Jammu towards the Valley,” a traffic police official said.

Rain halts yatra in Valley 

Srinagar: The Amarnath yatra remained suspended on Sunday due to incessant rain along the yatra routes. An official statement said the yatra remained suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to incessant rain and bad weather. However, 1,629 pilgrims who had embarked on the yatra on Saturday had darshan at the cave shrine.