Amarnath pilgrim dies of cardiac arrest

A 36-year-old pilgrim identified as Ranbir Singh, dies on way to Amarnath shrine, raising the death toll in the annual pilgrimage to 62.

A 36-year-old pilgrim died on way to Amarnath shrine, raising the death toll in the annual pilgrimage to 62, official sources said on Tuesday.

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The pilgrim, identified as Ranbir Singh from Haryana, died of cardiac arrest at Sangam on the 12-km Baltal route passing through Ganderbal district on Monday.

While 58 pilgrims and a BSF jawan have died of natural causes during the series of trips that began on June 17 this year, three others -- a policeman, a shopkeeper and a porter -- died in separate accidents en route to the cave.

A record number of 5.24 lakh pilgrims have made the journey to the 3,880 metre-high cave this year, the sources said, adding it is the first time in the history of the yatra that the number of pilgrims crossed the five lakh mark.