Past incidents of deadly attacks on Amarnath pilgrims

The pilgrims visiting the Amarnath Temple in J&K's Pahalgam undertake several days of treacherous journey to reach the mountain cave shrine.

New Delhi: Amarnath pilgrims have been the target of militants in Jammu and Kashmir from time to time. The latest attack was carried out on Monday in which at least seven pilgrims were killed.

The devotees visiting the Amarnath Temple in J&K's Pahalgam undertake several days of treacherous journey to reach the mountain cave shrine.

The following are some of the deadly attacks on the pilgrims over the past few years.

1. In August 2000, at least 30 pilgrims were massacred by the militants in Pahalgam town of Kashmir's Anantnag district. The LeT terrorist group was blamed for the killings. Such attacks continued in the subsequent years.

2. In August 2002, eight pilgrims were killed and 30 others were injured in a terrorist attack. However, the toll was lower in comparison to the previous years. The pre-dawn attack was carried out on the Nunwan camp en route to the shrine. A LeT front was blamed for the attack.

3. In June 2002, two pilgrims, who were preparing to leave Jammu for Pahalgam, were killed in a grenade attack.

4. In July 2002, one pilgrim was killed and at least 24 others were injured in a grenade attack in Anantnag.

5. In 2014, some 100 tents of the pilgrims were set on fire by the militants. Scores of people were injured in the attack at Baltal in J&K.