PAHATGAM: A Revenue official ‘was killed in a powerful bomb blast at Chapdanwari, the second halting point for the Amarnath pilgrimage. Official sources said that the bomb exploded around 8:30 a.m, killing Bhupinder Singh, an employee of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. The blast was so powerful that it made a six feet deep crater. Some pilgrims were injured in a stampede that followed the blast. The sources said another blast took place at Sheshnag. However, no one was injured there, Further details were awaited. Nearly 35,000pilgrims led by Mahan Decpinder giricarrying the silver mace to Lord Shiva, “Chari Mubarak” had darshan of the ice Shiva Lingam at ‘Amamath cave in the morning on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan day.
According to official figures available here about 35,0000 pilgrims offered prayers at the six feet high “Swayambhu” (self-created) Lingam, which waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon.
A record 65,000 pilgrims from all over the country had darshan of the ice lingam since the “yatra” started despite hostile weather, poor arrangements and a “ban” imposed by the militant outfit Harkatul-Ansar.
Barring five natural deaths and minor injuries to few pilgrims due to bomb blast set off by the militants at Pahalgam, the yatra this year has remained incident free so far.
The pilgrims will start returning in the afternoon. About 30,000. yatris ‘who had darshan during the past nine days had reached Jammu or were on their way back to Pahalgam.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 18, 1995
