BSF steps in as pilgrims fall ill on treacherous Amarnath route

Irfan Yattoo
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11 Jul 2025

Srinagar, July 11:The Border Security Force (BSF), Kashmir, has rescued dozens of pilgrims suffering from high-altitude sickness, dehydration, and exhaustion during the ongoingAmarnathYatra 2025, officials said.BSF Rescue and Relief teams have been strategically deployed along the challenging Pahalgam and Baltal routes to provide timely, lifesaving medical assistance. These teams are playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of pilgrims on their way to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine in the Himalayas.The annual AmarnathYatra, which began on July 3, attracts thousands of devotees from across the country. However, the pilgrimage route involves navigating treacherous mountain terrain, unpredictable weather, and high-altitude zones that often result in medical emergencies. In recent days, several yatris have experienced symptoms such as dizziness, breathing difficulties, and fatigue—necessitating urgent intervention. A BSF spokesperson told Rising Kashmir that the force has intensified its rescue operations by deploying trained paramedics and specialized medical teams. “Our teams are on high alert, providing round-the-clock support to ensure the safety and health of every yatri. We are committed to making the AmarnathYatra safe and seamless,” the spokesperson said.The BSF medical teams are stationed at key points along the 48-kilometre Pahalgam-Chandanwari route and the 14-kilometre Baltal-Domail route. Equipped with first-aid kits, oxygen cylinders, and emergency medical supplies, the teams have provided critical oxygen support in numerous cases of acute mountain sickness, preventing serious complications and enabling safe evacuation when needed.In addition to medical support, the BSF is also assisting with sanitation efforts along the pilgrimage routes, in collaboration with the Directorate of Rural Sanitation (DRS). Mobile toilets, waste segregation units, and composting systems have been installed to maintain hygiene and ensure a clean environment for pilgrims.Sunita Devi, a pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh, recounted, “The climb was steep and exhausting. I saw several people collapse due to breathlessness. BSF personnel were stationed right there, attending to everyone without hesitation. They are doing God’s work.” She added, “I didn’t expect to fall sick at such a height. I started shivering and couldn’t breathe properly. The BSF came with an oxygen cylinder just in time. If they hadn’t reached quickly, things could have gotten worse.”Another devotee, Rajesh Mehta from Maharashtra, praised the BSF’s swift response: “I’ve been on many pilgrimages, but the kind of medical and rescue support I saw from the BSF on this yatra is unmatched. They were quick, efficient, and caring. It felt like we were in safe hands throughout the journey.”Despite intermittent rainfall across the Kashmir Valley, the AmarnathYatra continues steadily. Over 1.45 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave so far.