The deceased were pilgrims who had visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and were returning to Katra from the Serli Helipad. The collision was severe, resulting in the instant death of all three passengers in the auto-rickshaw, said SDPO Katra Bhisham Dubey.
On the occasion, Pawan Kumar, the first differently-abled archer from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, who participated in this prestigious international event, was also honoured for his commendable representation.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) on Monday announced the temporary suspension of the Vaishno Devi Yatra in view of an adverse weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The Chief Executive Officer of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Sachin Kumar, said that elaborate arrangements had been made for the convenience of devotees.
Ahead of the Shardiya Navratras, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), convened a joint meeting on Saturday in Katra.
The Shree Mata Vaishno Devi yatra remained suspended for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday after landslides triggered continuous rainfall in the region.
The committee has been tasked to conduct a detailed investigation and submit its report within two weeks to LG Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of pilgrims' lives in the natural disaster on August 26 and clarified the factual details to counter misleading media reports, said an official.